The San Francisco call., 1896-06-09
Few Structures Escape the Fury
of an Awful, Whirling
Torrent.
MANY MADE HOMELESS BY
THE FLOOD.
Great Loss of Property in the Little
Hamlet-Alturas Is In.
undated.

| REDDING, CAL, June S.-The once
beautiful little village of Lake City, nest
| ling in the foothills at the head of Surprise
Valley in Modoc County, is scene of de-
vastation, ruin and disaster. What was
once brisk and lively burg of 200 inhabi-
tants, with neat and cozy dwellings and
! substantial business houses is now but
vista OF tangled wreckage. nearly every
building in the town being wholly or
partially demolished.
The inhabitants of Lake City were
aroused from their early morning slum-
! bers last Friday by the roar and rush OF
| angry waters, and before many Of them
| had time to look to their own safety, with
out attempting to save their effects from
residences, stores or business places, a
food of water came pouring down upon
| the m from lowering clouds that had been
threatening destruction all night, and
when the torrent had passed buildings lay
in ruins on all sides. Lake City had been
struck by waterspout-a veritable water
| cyclone.
The whirling mass of water struck the
center of the town with terrific force. The
| frightened residents, warned by the on
coming roar, hurried to and fro in frantic
efforts TO save themselves from what for a
time seemed certain death. Small trees,
stumps and timbers were carried down
and through the streets with awful force,
and the most substantial structures were
weakened and tottered before the rush of
the water.
Dry's fiouring-milI, we'll built building,
was completely ruined, the damage being
estimated at $4,000. w. 7. Cressler, who
owned a store, storehouse ana residence
Oh the bank of small ravine that runs
| through the town, lost everything and
barely escaped with his life. Twenty tons
of sacked -four was carried off as bundle
of caves would travel on the water.
Mrs. Hamlin, widow living opposite
Dry's mill, was sick in bed at the time of
the storm and her escape was miraculous.
She vainly attempted TO rise and breast
rescue, and she was carried in safety to
dry land. Two minutes later the waters
carried away her cottage.
The whole town was undermined by the
flood, and the damage is estimated at over
$50, 600. heavy loss considering the size
of the place.
At Alturas, the county seat of Modoc
County and about twenty miles from Lake
City, a waterspout struck later in the day.
In a few moments all the streets were con-
verted into great waterways, and people
fed to the second stories and roofs of their
houses for safety. Boats were brought into
use and the only travel for hours was ac-
complished by the aid of small craft. The
roads between Alturas and. CedarvilIe were
washed out and travelling was almost en-
tirely stopped.
Out of four substantial bridges across
Thoms Creek only one remains, and that
near the head of the creek. Across Cedar
Creek two bridges are washed out, leaving
but one standing, just above Cedarville.
Never before has such disaster visited
Modoc County, and the wonder is that no
| lives have been lost.
The waterspout started near the north
| fork of Pitt River and travelled in north
easterly direction for about thirty-five
miles before it spent its force. Everything
in its path was ruined. From down the
mountain sides huge trees, bowlders and
rocks were carried, and at one point
along the creek, near Cedarville, q
small farm, which before the storm
was bearing fine crop of oats, was made
the dumping place for an endless number
of trees and stumps. But meager reports
have been received, and when full details
come in they may carry accounts of loss
of life and stock.
Added to the calamity of the storm, an
epidemic of typhoid pneumonia is spread
| ing in the valley. Several deaths from
the plague have already occurred.
Pitt River, even as far down as Fall City.
in Shasta County, was higher than ever
known before. People have been COM
PEELED to provide temporary lodgings, and
tents have been brought into use to ac-
commodate those who have been rendered
| homeless by the food.