The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-09-29
WHAT A CLOUDBURSr IS
No Such Thing as q Bursting Cloud. Simply
Heavy Rain.

THE most destructive form of noun
tain storm is the so-called cloudburst,
when the ripping brook suddenly be-
comes roaring river, carrying death
and destruction in its path. The noise
made by cloudburst has no parallel.
Above the rumble and roar of masses
OF rushing water is heard a grinding,
groaning sound Of falling trees, Of
slipping earth and rolling powders,
while the banks of the stream far
above the danger line tremble as IL
In an earthquake. The senses are
numbed by the awful cataclysm,
and 1t seems to the spectator, although
he is on the high banks and out of ac-
Of the earth had burst and judgment
day was come. The flood losses about
mighty trees and rocks as If they were
straws, the banks Of the stream seem
to dissolve before his eyes and a feel
ing Of awe at the irresistible power of
nature steals over the observer. Once
witnessed, a cloudburst is never for
gotten" says a writer In Alnslee's
Magazine.
I'm point Of fact, however, there Is
no such thing as the bursting of a
cloud. The term 'cloudburst' is a con-
venient expression by which the result
of a very heavy rain is designated.
Nearly all the surface of the earth in
thu mn oil ;c L. 81
of rocks or adobe soil. The latter, in
most cases, has never been broken to
cultivation, and is almost impervious
to a sudden heavy downpour of rain.
The consequence is that the mountains
are cut up with arrOyos, gullies, and
watercourses, and in the course of I'M
numbered ages into mighty canons
which astound the tourist. In an I'M
usually heavy rainfall the great mass
Of water spread over large area, in
stead of sinking into the ground, Is
quickly accumulated in the beds Of
the streams, which rise many feet in
q short time. When this accumula-
lion is rapid enough and the lay Of the
land Is just right the water rushes
down the bed of the stream in solid
wall and is called a cloudburst. The
same precipitation in an open coun-
try or in one in which the soil has
been broken up by cultivation would
be called heavy rainfall, and would
10 no damage unless continued long
enough for the streams to rise out of |
heir banks and flood the country.
Zone of the most destructive storms |
VI this nature, so far as manifold con-
sequences are concerned, took place In |
he spring of 1864, when cloudburst |
occurred at the headwaters of Cherry |
,reek. This is small stream, dry |
most Of the year, but notorious for it's |
1t flows through Denver |
md empties into the Platte River,
within the confines of the city. Just |
1t nightfall the water swept down this
Try creek In a wall said to have been
en- feet in height, carrying everything |
before it. Many people were drowned
md many buildings were washed
way. All night long the creek flowed
,ankful of water that was thick with
People were rescued dur
ng the night on RATS and improvised
,oats. The most serious loss was the
lily Hall, which was swept away by
he water, together with all the rec
rds on file there. These records in
luded not only those of the state and
ity, but also the United States land
ilings. The flood was followed by an
ra Of land-jumping, and good many
f the present fortunes in Denver date
rom that event. The safe of the City
IAN was never found, although some
eliC of the flood, including a portion
f the press Of the Rocky Mountain
Jews are now in the rooms of the State
historical society"