Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-03-12
FLOOD SITUATION ALARMING
Overflow of the LeVees Certain at a Mum
ber of Points.

Jackson, Miss, March 9.-News from
the Mississippi river front is that the.sltua
ton is alarming. The Levee Board is IL
session at Clarksdale, and word was re
ceived here today that an overflow is Ger
tain. The levees are in better shape
higher and stronger than ever, except IL
one or two places ami are there being
carefully guarded. The Levee Board is
hiring all the labor possible.
Washington, March 9.-The Weather
Bureau tonight issued the following
special bulletin;
The river situation tonight is not
materially different from that announced
in this morning bulletin. There have
been rains in Tennessee, Arkansas and
Louisiana, but fair weather has prevailed
in the upper Ohio basin. No material
change is indicated in the stages announ-
ced for Cairo. 1t is expected that a maxi
mum stage of 1916 feet will be reached at
Paducah. The Mississippi from Cairo to
Helena will continue to rise slowly during
the next ten days, and higher water is ex-
pected on the low river during the next
three or four weeks.
Memphis, Tenn, March 9-The river
at this point tonight shows 3 g feet, and
rising. The Weather Bureau bulletin
issued tonight states that the river from
Cairo to Helene will continue to rise at ali
increased rate, and a stage here of 35 feet
is expected with in "a hours, and 81 feet
by March IA. 1t further states that the
present rise probably will continue until
stage of 3S feet or more is reported at
Memphis.
Weather conditions are similar over
much of the vast area defined by the
Mississippi and t ibutaries from the
head waters of the former to the Gulf, and
reports from all points indicate heavy
rains and swollen streams. 1t isupon this
condition and the fact that the levees built
-ince the food Of 1897 have very mater
tally narrowed the territory over which
the river can spread that the probable
eIage of feet is based.
The greatest stage ever recorded at
Memphis was 81 feet, and it is thought
that a great stage must cause much
damage in the lowlands. What would
occur from such stage cannot be foretold.
The levees on both the east and west sides
of the Mississippi are being strengthened
at all weak points. There is little antlcipa'
ton of serious trouble until the water ap-
proaches 81 feet.
Baton Rouge, La, March 9.-The river
at this point reached "a and three't tenths
feet this evening, a rise of twOtenths of
foot in the past twenty.four hours.
The water is now some inches above the
base of the levees of Front street.
Natchez, Miss, March g. Anxiety here
is at strong tension through fear that the
levees may not be allowed to show their
strength, as it is possible cut at some
place will be made to save property on the
other side of the river. This is as much
source of apprehension as is the high stage
of the river and the water which is yet to
come.
The Mississippi at this point s 81 above
the danger line, and rising. Heavy rains
are of daily recurrence. The ground Is
water-soaked and all of the water is going
into the river.
Vcksburg, Miss, March O. AT 9
O'Clock tonight the river guage registered
II feet, rise of two.tenths in ten hours.
The United States lighthouse tender
Joseph Henry arrived from points beloy
the ship, and her officers report that there
s still plenty of room between the waters
surface and the crown of the levees. Cap
tain Leonard states that he has never seen
the levees in such shape.
Every boat arriving in port is crowded
with refugees, and many others are COM
ing in on RATS and in sklffs. Raiioad
schedules are badly disarranged.
Dallas, Texas, March 9.-Another
terrific rain fell in Northern and Central
Texas today and continues tonight. Ali
streams are swollen into raging torrents,
and big rise is expected in the Trinity
river. Telegraphic service is crippled.