Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-21
GREAT FALL OF RAIN.
A CUlVeRT OVeRFLOWS AND GEL
LARS BECOME FLOODED.
The Water at One Place on Main Street
Two Feet Deep-The Cars
stopped.

Yesterday afternoon about quarter 20 3
o'clock one of the most severe electrical
storms Of the season visited this city.
The downfall of rain was very heavy and
continued for some time.
In few minutes the cutters were over
flowing and the streets in some places were
rendered almost impossible. Sections OK
the city where the elevation was lowest
were flooded for few minutes. The cleo
tric-cars stopped running, as the tracks
were submerged IL some places one or TWO
feet III water.
EYFTcT on THE sIREET-CARs.
The Union Passenger-Railwav Company
was forced to stop it's cars for nearly an
hour, and those on the Richmond City
railway were likewise stopped for a short
time, as the electric current was cut OF.
While travel on these cars Is not dangerous
during Z thunderstorm the condition OF
the atmosphere while charged with cleo
triclty is very damaging to the commutor,
which becomes badly scOrched.
Main street between Eighth and Nlnth
presented very much the appearance OF q
small mill-race during the storm, az the
tracks of the City railway had previously
been taken up for repairs and the earth be
tween the tracks removed, which left q
channel about two feet deep into which
the water formed with remarkable rapdity.
SECTION FLOODED.
At the corner of Main and Madison
streets there was n considerable hoOd,
which rendered passage on the streets I'M
possible. either by walking or in the cars.
This section of the city forms small val
lev at the foot Of three hills, and conse-
auently the water from large portion OF
the western part of the city flows directly
into the culyerts II was here that the
cave-in occurred last August which very
nearly caused the death of Policemen
Robins and McMullen.
TWO FEET OF WATER.
Shortly after the storm commenced this
culvert Overfiowed, and soon the street be-
came submerged in nearly two feet OF
water. which poured into the easements OF
a dozen houses. dong great damage and
reaching q depth Of seven feet. Long after
the rain was over the water IN the base
ments was even with the pavement IN the
street. The collection of debris rocks,
sand, and mud scattered along the street
for forty or fifty yards indicated the force
of the water.
The street-cars were stopped up at TINS
point tor nearly an hour, and II was nearly
two hours before the waters receded en-
trely from the street.
when seen last night bya Dispatch report
or this street presented more the appear
ance of "a country road in rainy weather
than city thOroughfare. Several hands
sent by the Board of Health, were clearing
away the accumulated rubbish, and the
street will be in good condition 10y tins
morning.
For some wears past the culvert at this
point has not had the capacity to carry on
the water during heavy rain, and several
times during the last few years similar
overfowings have occurred.
IIGHTNING's STROKE.
While the storm was at its height the
lightning struck the chimney OF Mr.. \. j.
Wrav's residence, No. $40 west Cary street,
and the current passed down the chimney
and into q room in which there were slt,
ting several persons. SCOT was thrown al
over the floor. All Of the persons IN the
room were frightened and ran out. and
little boy wa, slightly stunned, but soor
recovered. No material damage was done
OTHER PABTs OF TIE CITY.
Persons whose places of business are
near Shockoe creek feared that their un'
pleasant experience of July 2, 1889, when
n freshet in the creek did moro thaI
$4,000 damage, would be repeated. Ihey
were fortunate, however. in escaping thl'
time. The stream arose about SIX feet
and the water at it's highest was within
eight inches Of the windows, through
which it would have passed into the cellars
of the storehouscs.
The water receded almost as rapidly as II
arose and passed into the river before the
heavy rain fell later in the evening. =,
Gilhe's creek was alsovery much swollen
hut as far as could be learned last night nc
damage was done by 1t.