Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-03-14
EX IRENE HIGH WATER,
The Father of Waters Higher
Than Ever Before.
THE CRESCENT CITY INUNDATED.
Great Damage All Along the Lower
Mississippi-Terrible Floods
in Arkansas.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HzRAL

n in Arkansas.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
New ORLEANS, March 13.-The river
here at 2 AS pm. was 1863 feet, and at
2 80 had reached IL feet, but it remained
at that point but short while, when it
receded to 16 feet, where it seemed to
make a stand. This was six inches
above the record of other years, and the
water went over the levses all along the
city front and at every depression or low
place, and soon flooded the streets and
sidewalks of large section of the city.
Up town at the head of jackson, Wash
ington and Sarapsru streets, the waves
washed over the levee and submerged
the streets and sidewalks. The same
thing occurred at other points down to
Poydras street. Here the water spread
out over the broad space occupied by the
Morgan road, then began to flow
down Poydras street and out into
the cross streets on either side,
and filling the cutters back to the drain.
age canals in the rear of the city.
From Custom House street to Cont the
water came over the levees freely and
completely submerged the streets, and IN
many places the sidewalks and lower
floors of business houses from the north
side of Canal to Hospital streets, dis
tance of fourteen blocks, and from the
river to Rampant street, distance C!
eight blocks. The damage done so far is
not great. The greatest damage was
that sustained by merchants who had
sugar stored in the bonded warehouse on
Levee street. The Southern and Crescent
oil mills were washed under by the water
and the floors were torn away.
A break occurred at Hatch place,
near Harvey's canal, but it only reached
a width of four feet, when it was discov-
cred and promptly closed. 1t is still
very dangerous spot, as the levee is very
weak. The levee at Sharp's place, five
miles above Gretna, where there wa, a
serious crevasse some years ago, is still
creating anxiety as it shows signs of
weakening. From Canal.street ferry to
the Morgan depot, the principal portion
Of Algiers, distance of three quarters Of
mile, the situation at one time was very
threatening. About noon the water
commenced washing over the levee along
it's whole length, and in short
space of time the entire front and
the streets for ten blocks back were
flooded Yardmaster Mcguire, of the
Morgan road, and the city forces imme-
diately went to work, and in four hours
threw up an entire new levee. That
stopped the flow temporarily, but the
water was already knee deep on Front
street. Just below Algiers is the Orleans
levee, which commands a large section
of country. A new levee was CONSTRUCTED
only few days ago, but the river has
been climbing up, and today the warn
ing signal was again given. The water
was six inches deep over the levee's
crest. Men and material were promptly
furnished, and gallant efforts are being
made to stay the flood.
the Council tonight appropriated
$50 900 for work on the levees during the
danger period.
At Natchez the levee on Davis island,
Lake Concordia, gave way, flooding the
Novelty, Evergreen. Sahara, Morgan and
Potawama plantations.
A Greenville, Miss, special says !:
Reports up to 6 80 O'Clock from all points
in this levee district above and below
indicate that all is serene on this side Of
the river. Every preparation is being
made for any possible breaks or weak
places that may occur in the levees.
Rain has fallen for fifty-four hours with
but slight intermissions, and the total
fall exceeds five inches. 1t is still rain
ing, and the indications are that it will
rain all night. The river here rose one
and one-half inches in the past twenty.
four hours, and is still rising.
New ORLEANS. March 13.-It has been
raining steadily but slowly since p. M,
and the rainfall, added to the water
passing over the levees in front of the
city and running back, has overfowed a
large section of the city in the vicinity of
Claiborne street, but the river gauge
shows no material change. Water is
flowing over the levee rapidly at the
head of Peters street, and the sidewalks
and streets in the vicinity are covered
with water. Water is also running
over the levee pretty freely at Third
Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, Teledsno, Sara.
paeta and State streets. Gangs of men
are working along the levee at many
points, and the flow of water into the city
may be checked if there is no further
rise. Good work is being done all along
the line. The outlook tonight, however,
is by no means reaesuriDg.