Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-12-25
THE STORM.
The Arroyo de Los Reyes
Breaks Loose.
MANY RESIDENTS FRIGHTENED
The River Rises to the Top of the
Levee-Bridge Approaches
Washed Away.

LATEST REPoRTs-At hall. past 2
O'Clock this morning the river was up to
the top of the planked portion of the
levee, and was thought to be still rising.
The levee was reported to be washing
AWAY between the Kuhrts-street bridge
and Downey avenue in several places,
and train loaded with iron was unable
to be taken upon the Santa Fe bridge.
The rain which continued heavily all
day yesterday commenced shortly after
midnight yesterday morning. From that
time until about 6 80 O'Clock the fall was
steady, and thers were few intervals
during the entire day that allowed Pc
destrians to lower their umbrellas. Up
to 6 80 O'Clock the water did not come
down in such quantities as to cause a
blockade of the streets, and it was not
until after dark that the situation became
at all serious. The river up to that time
was reported to be lower than it had
been on the previous day, and while
there was some anxiety among those
who lived on the low ground near the
river bank, no steps were taken to escape
the food which might come if the river
should rise. Ate 80 O'Clock the rain be-
came heavier, and by 6: AS O'Clock the
streets were turned into river beds, with
currents 80 swift az to take people who
attempted to cross off from their feet. The
heavy fall lasted until a quarter after 8
O'Clock, and at that time rumors were
heard that Reservoir No. had given
way, and that people were being
drowned in the vicinity Of Hope and
Sixth streets. Several mounted officers
we're sent to that locality, where it WAS
found that the stream in the course of
the Arroyo de los Reyes had risen to
such proportions as to endanger the
houses that stood in its course The
water had backed up at Pearl and Fourth
streets, and shortly after 8 o'clock it
broke through and swept around the
base of the hill on which the Normal
School stands with such force and
depth as to frighten those who were in
the cottages on Hope street. One lady was
found in her house, from which there
was no escape on foot. She was very
much frightened, and told the police that
people we're being drowned further up
the course of the arroyo. A search for
any such catastrope proved the falsity of
the statement. There were, however, a
number of cottages along the course of
the stream, the occupants of which had
been carried to places of safety. The
situation at this time in the vicinity of
Hope, Sixth, Seventh, and Grand ave.
nue. was very exciting. The water was
flowing down Hope street at depth Of
over three feet, and in some places
horses had hard work in eros.
sing the stream. A torrent flowed
down Sixth street to Grand
avenue and along that thoroughfare to
Seventh, where it was joined by another
stream and both streets were covered
from curb to curb. People were scat
tered along the street at intervals, and
quite o number of ladies were carried
across the streets in the arms of men.
The employees of the Cable Company
worked like beavers to keep the water
from going into the power.house but
were unsuccessful. They plugged up
the slots and the conduits were stopped
but despite their efforts the water poured
into the power-house until the Corliss
engine was covered.
On Temple street the stream was 80
swift that it carried with it huge boul.
ders, and, to make matters worse for
people residing il the western part of the
city, the Tenn ple.street cable road was
forced to stop running. From Second
street the water poured With such force
as to carry with it planks, oil cans and
large rocks. 1t covered Fort street
and, filling the street from curb to curb
rushed to Spring street, down which il
turned and ran to Main at Ninth. Be
low Ninth, Main street was river, anC
the water in several instances rose ovel
the sidewalk and entered the front yards
tearing away lawns and plants.
Alameda street was river and at one
time the water reached depth of two
feet, making it almost impossible to cross
except with heavy wagons and horses
All the country between Los Angeles
street and Alameda was covered with
water, with but few exceptions. In the
southern part of the city it was almos
impossible for people to get cut Of theil
houses. On Washington street planks
barrels, trees and bushes from Other
parts of the city were swept along the
stream and carried toward the Ballona
Some of the people fearing that the riyel
would break over it's banks made them
selves ready to leave at a moments no
tice, and one family came to the Police
Station to be out Of danger.
The cable roads held up bravely yes.
terday all day in spite of the steady
rains. AT 6 o'clock, when the heavies
downpour occurred the Pacific Railway
system ceased operations, and the mer
put in all their time and energy in thu
effort to keep the water ont of the power
houses. AT Downey avenue they wer
successful, but at Grand avenue ano
Boyle Heights the old experience was
repeated with worse ultimate results
than ever before. At Boyle Heighti
there is depth of ten or twelve feet in
the engine-room, and at Grand avenue
the water completely submerged tht
machinery. The prospect is that ever
1t the storm ceases only the Downey
avenue cable will be in operation today
THE RAILROADS.
The railroads were in a very demoral
lied condition yesterday, with very
gloomy outlook for today when this pa
per went to press. The Santa Fs, having
the greatest number of miles of track in
Southern California. has suffered the
most considerable injury. The overland
from the East, which should have ar
rived in this city last Monday afternoon,
is still at Barstow, detained by continu.
GUS small landelides in the Caion pass.