Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-07-29
DAMAGE BY FLOOD.
A Terrific Cloudburst Strikes
Youngstown, o.
MANY PERSONS PROBABLY DROWNED
Norman County, Mimi. Grain Fields Under
Water-People In Ada Rescued by
BOats-Torrents Pouring Into
Waterbury, Conn.

YOUNGSTOWN, O., July 23.-At seven
o'clock last night terrifi cloudburst
struck this town, flooding the entire
valley and causing great damage to
property, both in the city and along
the railway lines. Many people are
supposed to be drowned. The entire
county east and west for 20 miles was
flooded and the damage will be enor-
nous, the railroads being the heaviest
losers. The Erie railroad west of War
rem IA miles and north of Sharon
for the same distance was entirely
flooded out and orders were issued to
discontinue all trains. The water
came down the valley into the city and
formed into flood, sweeping every
thing that was not fastened down be-
fore it. The bed Of the creek was not
more than 20 feet wide and the flood
spread out to a width Of about 1000
feet 1t rose quickly and in less than
so minutes the water was up to the
second story of all the dwelling houses
in the flooded districts and was still
rising. 1t is almost certainty that
few of the people escaped from the
houses.
Firemen, police and others were got
ten out quickly, but were powerless to
rescue anybody, as not boat of any
kind was to be had in that portion of
the city. The cries of the people in
the houses were heartrending to those
who stood at the waters edge and
were forced to retreat on account OF
the gradually rising water. Many
people were undoubtedly drowned.
One whole family was heard crying
for help from the upstairs windows,
when suddenly there was a grinding
noise as if the house was being moved
from its foundation and soon the cries
from the place ceased The intense
darkness made 1t impossible to see
what was going on, but it is supposed
the house and its occupants went down
in the flood.
1t was midnight before boats could
be gotten to the flooded district and
the work of rescue could be started.
The boats were manned by tiremen,
who went to work with will. but
could not make much progress on ac-
count Of the swift and dangerous cur
rent. Nine families were taken out of
second story windows within half
hour and many people were picked up
clinging to debris.
FLOODS IN MINNESOTA
ADA, Mimi, July 23.-rhe worst
floods in the history Of this section are
now on here. Long continued rains,
amounting to five inches, coming at
time when the ground was thoroughly
soaked have flooded half of Norman
county. Fields where grain was wav-
ing four feet high are now under
water covering the heads of the wheat.
The water rose so rapidly in Ada that
people were rescued in boats. 1t is
feared the Red river will not be able
to carry off the water and that the
lowlands and wheat farms will be
flooded from Hendrum north for miles.
FLOOD DAMAGE IN CONNECTICUT.
WATERBURY, Conn. July GA rain |
of the proportions of cloudburst has
prevailed here since two o'clock this
and, as n result, food has
been caused. Two small streams,
always troublesome in times of heavy I
rains have run mad, and thousands of /
dollars of damage has been done. The
water is pouring in torrents into the
streets.