The San Francisco call., 1904-02-16
RAIN WELCOME,
BUT NOT NEEDED
Light Drizzle in Santa Clara
County Promises to Develop
Into Great DOwnpOur
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, Feb. 15.-A number of
showers occurred early this evening
and a light rain now falling promises
to continue during the night. 4 south
wind to-day leads to the belief another
storm is setting in. While there is not
need of rain at present, everybody
welcomes it. Up to noon to-day 4.95
inches had fallen for the season,
against 1913 inches for last season
The Santa Clara College weather bu
reau predicts a heavy storm and abun-
dant rain to follow if adverse wind
does not intervene.
REDDING, Feb. IA severe rain
storm, extending as far north as Duns-
muir, caused the Sacramento River to
rise rapidly. The stream is fifteen feet
above normal and this evening is ris-
ing at the rate of foot an hour. 1t is
feared a portion or all of the county
bridge over the stream at this point
viii be carried away, as the structure is
in the midst of repairs and is necessa-
rily weakened. A landslide 200 feet
long on the Siskiyou has tied up rail-
road traffic. A stiff wind, accompanied
by rain, caused some wire damage.
SANTA ROSA. Feb. 15.-Sonoma
County is having a series of severe
storms this season. In one recently
the rainfall amounted to $40 inches.
Another rain began in this city Sun
day being only a slight drizzle during
the day. Early Monday morning the
rain began falling heavily and at
o'clock the rain gauge measured 1 1.O5
inches. Since that time about two
inches have fallen. The record for this
year is 25 so inches
Two railroad disasters are recorded
from the recent storm. The morning
train south bound on the California
- NTn1.f ~ 1o1a
landslide on the Ukiah-ClOverdale di-
vision. Many tons of earth became
loosened from a hill at HOgans Cut,
near Echo, and covered the railroad
tracks for a considerable distance A
delay of more than four hours was
caused by the slide and many pas
sengers were discOmmoded
On the Southern Pacifc's branch from
this city an engine and caboose were
thrown from the tracks and overturned
in the soft mud by the rails slip
ping from beneath the heavy en-
gine Sunday afternoon The ca
boOse has been replaced on the rails,
but the engine has so far resisted the
efforts Of a large number of men and
a steam derrick and still lies helpless
where it fell. The track, which was
torn up for considerable distance by
the derailing of the engine and ca
bcose, has been reconstructed and
trains are again running on schedule
time.
The present rain bids fair to eclipse
the record of the previous storm. when
over five inches of rain fell. Creeks
and streams are brimful Of water and
have attained a great velocity in the
rush to the sea. If the rain continues
it would do greater damage to rail-
roads, as there are many low places
where the water stands for a consider
able depth during heavy downpours.
WILLIS, Feb. 15.-This place is ex-
periencing one of the worst storms in
years. Creeks are overfiowing their
banks and the electric lighting COM
pany is under water, shutting off
light and power. There is no indica-
ton of the storm letting up soon, and
should it continue over night railroad
traffic is liable to be suspended
SANTA BARBARA, Feb. 15.-Rain
began falling here at midnight and
conditions indicate a heavy downfall.
STOCKTON. Feb 15.-Rain began
falling here at 4 o'clock this afternoon
and continued throughout the night,
the fall up to midnight being So max
ing 2.52 for the month and $40 for the
season. All parts of the county are
now well supplied with moisture and
crops are in excellent condition.
FRESNO, Feb. 16.-Rain began fall
ing here about 10:30 last night and has
kept up steadily ever since, promising
the finest downpour of the season. Oc-