Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-01
THE HEAVY RAIN STORM.
Swollen Streams and Damage TO Rail.
roads-Choked Sewers in the City.


Capt Dunwoody, the predictions officer of
the signal service for August, began his work
this morning by predicting that to-day will be
marked by threatening weather and light
showers, with stationary temperature, while
it will clear tomorrow, with slightly higher
temperature.
THE FOLLOWING HEAVY RAISFALLs
occurred in this vicinity yesterday: Washing
ton, 1.S2 inches; Harrisburg. 1.24; Lynchburg,
1.90; New York, 1.3s; Philadelphia, L0I; Bos-
ton, 1.22. The enormous precipitation of the
last few days has caused the rise Of several OF
the rivers.
DELAYED TRAINS.
The trains leaving Washington for the south
last evening by way Of the R., F. and P. rail-
road were stopped at Alexandra in conse-
quence OF the report OF washout on tina,
road between Quantico (the terminus OF the
A. and T. and fredericksburg. Some Of the
passengers returned to the city. This morn.
ing, however, the damage having been re-
damage done on the Piedmont Air Line beyond
Lynchburg. but passengers are taken and
brought from the south by way Of Gordons
vile and Richmond until the damage can be
repaired.
All the streams between here and Baltimore
were running wild, the water being over the
banks and in some place the embankments
were badly washed, necessitating careful run.
ming, but the travel was not stopped in thai
direction. Over the Eastern branch, on some
OF the low grounds, the lower floors Of houses
were flooded last evening. Among the fami
lies thus incommoded were those Of Officer W.
L. Anderson and Bryan Downey. In some in
stances the gardens we're badly damaged
In this city number OF sewers were choked
up for time, but no serious damage wa,
done.
THE oBsTRUcrED SEWERS
The Commissioners have lately received ,
great many complaints from persons that theil
private sewers were stopped up and that when
ever heavy rain occurred the water woult
Dack up In their houses. During the recent
heavy rains, particularly, the Commissioner,
have received number of such complaints
STAR reporter in search of information
called upon Captain Lusk, who has charge o.
the city sewers. The captain said:
Everything considered. the sewers have
STOOD the pressure well, and where there ha
been any trouble it has been caused by the
obstructed sewers, of which there are a grea
many in the city. These sewers were Iait
rather hurriedly during the time of the Ole
board OF public works, and, not being pro
tected, soon filed with the roots of trees. Las
passed for the replacement of unobstructed
sewers. The unprecedented rainfall during the
last two months Obstructed many more by the
sand brought into them, and consequently they
have caused great amount of trouble. The
appropriation was insufficient, but 1 am in
hopes that it will last long enough to doctor
the worst cases. Next year intend to recon-
mend that large appropriation for the worl
OF replacing obstructed sewers be asked for"
A FLOOD AT RICHMOND EXPECTED.
special bulletin from the signal Office, is
sued at 1870 am. to-day, was as follows
| about two inches of rain has fallen in tn,
upper valley of the James river during tn,
past twentyfour hours, which will doubles
cause floods to become more destructive in the
vicinity of Richmond to-day