The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-13
FLOOD IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.
High Tide mandates Fraser Estuary
Banks-The Upper River Rising.

Vancouver. Il. c., Jan. I2-The province
Is threatened with serious floods. ana
great damage will be done In the Fraser
river valley, portion OF which suffered
80 severely last spring. The floods are
caused by the unusually high tides ex9e-
resced here yesterday and to-day This
morning tine delta district was one large
lake. and IN place OF vehicular traffic en-
the roads. boats We're called into re,niss-
ton. The tide. assisted by a heavy gale
from the west, drove the water over the
dykes. and at 10 o'clock this morning the
water inside the entertainments was six
inches higher than at any time during the.
spring foods. Westham island is enrirsiy
under water. the depth varying from a
few inches to several feet. Fortunately
the farmers had time to remove their
stock and effects. and as harvest. Of
course. Is over. the loss will not be 80 SCI
rioas. though great damage is done TO
roads and dikes.
At Ncrnh arm Of the Fraser. a set
tiement on she opposite side OF the RIVER,
a similar state of affairs exists TIE
roads are all flooded. and several bridges
are washed away. The water II over
the floors OF several canaseries. and goods
and effects had TO lse hastily removed
Sea island and Lulu island are In places
entirely submerged.
The Coqultiam river. which joins the
Fraser above New Westminster. has ris-
en- with marvellous rapidity during the
last few days. and at moan today was
eighteen inches higher than ever before
Recent heavy rains and warm weather
have melted immense quantities Of snow
In TIE mountains and a usually small
trsealsng brock is now a raging mountain
torrent. carrying all before H. Tire traffic
bridge at Westminster JUNCTION was
swept away this afternoon. and fears are
entertained for the safety Of the railway
bridge at the same point. Several small
bridges across this stream are also gone
kilograms from the upper country all
etate that the Fraser is rising rapidly
faster than ever before. AT Yale, the
head of navigation, there was FIVE feet
OF snow lying on the ground Monday,
but tcsiay scarcely six inches remain.
Ola timers say they never have seen
snow melt 50 rapidly. Constable Mar
qaatte. at Mission City. states tfas the
river rose six feet Ut that point yesterday.
vt New Westminster no serious damage
was doae. though the water IS nearly up
tn the wharves, The fats al South West
minister were flooded. and the waser Is
nearly up 10 the Great Northern track,
though it IS not thought Ehat it will be
flooded.
In this city several boat houses are
Hooded, aad also the cellars OF SOME
warehouses along the water front. Tire
water has nearly oyerflowet several
wharves. but no serious damage Is done
so far. Capt. Peele Of New Westniin-
ster, an old-timer and weather prophet
predicts that the tide wiz be stu higher
tomorrow.
Aavlces just received from Ehurne. a
settlement al the mouth OF ne Fraser.
SAYS shsre arc three feet OF water over
Sea island today. The pAanks on the
roads we're all washed away and several
bridges swept oas-
\ dispatch from Stevcston, axsoEher
town at the mouth OF she Fra
ser. xays ths dixie Is washed out In a
dozen places and this island flooded The
water ~ stan risias. and a higher tile Is
,.xssesstes