Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-13
YESTERDAYS STORMS.

Deluged with Rain-Freaks ofLight'
g-Discomflture of Excursionists
The vagaries Of the weather in this
city and vicinity during the past forty
eight hours have been very remarkable.
The high temperature of Saturday was
followed by delightful northwest breeze
at the close of the day which afforded
great relief, and little rain subsequently
laid the dust Throughout most of the
night the temperature was agreeable,
but toward morning the mercury began
to climb and sultry conditions followed.
Yesterday morning broke with the
thermometer registering temperature
of 20. which soon increased to maxi
mum of SO, the relative humidity at s
a. m. being SO and at s. p. m. 80.
Shortly after noon black clouds doomed
up in the northern heavens and about
the time people we're leaving the churches
there was sharp flash Of lightning ana
crash of thunder which startled many.
But little rain followed, however. The
cloud lowered over Washington and
moved toward Baltimore In both cities
there were torrential rains, tempestuous
conditions and much thunder and light
ming. Robert Smith, machinist at
the Washington navy yard, was struck
by lightning and instantly killed at the
bathing beach west Of the Monument
in Washington, and several OF his COM
panions were badly stunned. Apoliceman
who started for the Emergency Hospital
to summon aid was twice rendered
temporarily unconscious by lightning
striking trees near him. Much damage
was done by the wind, rain and light
ming, but the above seems to have been
the only fatality. The storm in Balti-
more caused damage approximating
5000, 900. Lightning caused consider
able damage and a number of persons
were more or less injured.
The clouds over Alexandria broke and
hoated toward all points of the compass
after the terrific clap ofthunder at 1915,
but the muttering thunder and the omi-
nous conditions portendeda regathering
of the clouds and a heavy downpour be-
fore the close of the day. The humidity
had become intense and much discom
future was being experienced when be-
tween three and four o'clock there was
a heavy rain, accompanied by thunder
and lightning which flooded the streets.
Royal street, as is always the case dur
ing such downpours, became canal
south of Prince, and at Wilkes street
the waters entered the railroad tunnel
with a roar. Most of the principal
were flooded from curb to
curb. When the rain had ceased the
atmosphere again became oppressive and
the humidity forced the perspiration in
beads from those who were walking the
streets. Between five and six O'Clock
the heaviest shower of the day set in
which lasted for about half an hour.
The wind veered to the northwest and il
drove the rain in horizonal sheets. 1t
was binding and for a time impossible
to see a square away The temperature
had fallen by this time and after dark
conditions were more pleasant. The
stars fickered for little while, but they
soon disappeared as clouds began to
cover the sky. Rain again followed
and today broke with cool, rainy weather.
The many persons from Washington who
patronized the excursion resorts spent
an uncomfortable evening, while those
who went from that city and Alexandria
in sail boats and steam launches have
thrilling experiences to relate.
During the last rainfall lighting struck
a chimney at the aims house and some
bricks were knocked from it. No one
was injured
A man was stunned by lightning at
Arlington station on the electric railway
while one of the storms was raging.
During the prevalence of one of the
showers lightning ran into the drug
store of Edgar Warfeld, jr., northwest
corner of King and Pitt streets slightly
shocking number of people who were
in the store at the time and burning
out the electric fan wires. The light
ming entered on one of the wires.
The heavy cloud about II o'clock
from which the terrifying clap of thunder
emanated emplied itself in Washington,
deluging the streets and causing minor
damage in several location. Engineer
John Coleman who was bringing train
over the long bridge at the time, says he
could see but a short distance head, as
the rain was binding. He however,
soon ran out of he storm and by the
time the train reached Waterloo the rain
had ceased to fall.