Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-27
STOCKTON FLOODED.
Great Destruction of Property, but

Great Destruction of Property, but No
Loss of Lives.
STOCKTON, January 26th.-The reports of
high water at localities east of Stockton,
last evening, made it seem probable that
we were to be visited with flood, but these
would only be of surface water, which
would run off in a few hours, provided the
water from the Sacramento and San
Joaquin rivers did not back up, and thus
hold the water here.
The waters in Miner and Mormon chan
nels, which flow easterly through the city,
rose rapidly last evening" the rate being
about eight inches an hour.
At II o'clock people began to grow
alarmed and make preparations for flood.
At o'clock crowds had collected on the
bridges over Miner and Mormon channels,
and the wafer rose so rapidly as to be al
most perceptible to the eye.
At half-past the burdened channels
could no longer contain the angry floods,
and water began running over the railroad
track, north of Mormon channel, which
acts as a levee.
simultaneously Miner Channel over
flowed its banks and torrents of water were
soon pouring through the streets. The fire
bell vas ringing for half an hour to awaken
those who slept to a realization of the i'm
pending food.
The whistle at the electric light works
was blown. The people were not long in
needing the alarm and soon the streets
were one mass of moving humanity, and
all was confusion,
Most of the houses in the city are built
high from the ground in anticipation of
floods, so that it was sometime before the
water got I'D to the floor level
Boats were Immediately brought into
use, and people removed from their houses
where danger threatened.
ALI shoe stores opened up two hours be-
fore daybreak and were hardly able to
accommodate their patrons with rubber
boots.
The water rose rapidly and many had
difficulty in saving their horses and COWS.
About o'clock the whistle at the electric
light works sounded another warning, and
in few minutes the city was in total dark
ness. The water had flooded the electric
light works.
At 8 o'clock this morning the water was
in imminent danger of reaching Main
street, and had it done so the damage
would have been great; but Main street is
higher than most other portions, and
escaped flooding.
At 8 o'clock the water reached the high
est marks and then began receding. The
largest part of the city was flooded, in many
instances the water rising several feet in
the houses.
No accident is reported, but one man
who was caught asleep in his house mar
rowly escaped drowning. The night was
bitter cold, and the snow water chilled
everybody who got wet.
The cold weather was God d-send, for had
ha in, ha fofr1
would have melted, making the food con-
siderably higher.
At 6 o'clock tonight the water has fallen
greatly, but in the lower portion of the city
will stand for several days. Considerable
lumber was washed away, but the greatest
damage results to residence property, and
will fall on those least able to stand 1.-THE
poorer classes.
No break in the levees along the re-
claimed lands has yet been reported, but
they are being closely watched by large
forces of men.
A telephone message from Union island,
received at o'clock this evening, stated
that as yet there is no danger, but they ap-
prehend trouble tomorrow for they do not
get high water usually until about three
days after the storm.
Information received is to the effect that
Roberts island is almost certain to be SUBJ
merged, as the levees cannot much longer
hold out as the water from the Sacramento
is backing up, which is the greatest thing
to be feared.
News received at o'clock says the levee
around Rough and Ready island, about two
miles from here, has broken, and the island
is doomed. Tugs loaded with men and
bundles of sacks have departed for the
break.