The San Francisco call., 1905-05-08
STORM WRECKS
BIG BUILDING.
Great Damage Wrought by
the Wind and Rain, Which
Descend Upon Bakersfield
OTHER POINTS VISITED
Precipitation Is General in
the Central and Southern
Portions of the State

BAKERSFIELD, May THE most
terrific wind and rain storm that has
been experienced here for eighteen
years, swept over this city to-day. The
storm began at o'clock this morning.
Great damage was wrought. The en-
tire front of a large building used as
warehouse for Wells department store
was blown out; trees throughout the
residence section were blown down ana
uprooted and considerable damage was
done to one main line and Severai SUD
sidiary lines of the company tnat sup
plies. The electric power Tor the CITY.
The power has been shut on severai
times to-day on account of short cir
cults occurring along the main line
from the Kern-river Canyon, where the
power is generated.
1t is estimated that at O'Clock the
wind was blowing at the rate or at
least fifty miles an hour.
STOCKTON, May IA heavy ram
has been falling here since early this
morning. with no sign of let-up this
evening. Orchards and vineyards, po-
tatces, onions and other vegetables are
being vastly benefited together with
late wheat. Small areas of wheat,
where the growth is rank, may lodge,
but 1t is expected to straighten up un-
less Sultry weather should follow. On
the Whole grain men say that the rain
is more beneficial than injurious. The
most damage is to cherries, the black
varieties suffering considerably. Hay
will also be greatly damaged. The fall
is LII inches
FRESNO, May 1.-The heaviest
storm for this season of the year in
many years is in progress here. Since
daylight this morning rain has been
coming down, at times In torrents. The
streets of the city were flooded in
places, and travel on foot was at times
impossible. Indications point to con-
tinuarce throughout the night
The damage to the grain crop is
great. Reports from the country dis
tricts show that much barley and
wheat have been knocked down. About
half of the hay crop has been cut and
is damaged, though not ruined. The
grain that was planted late has re-
ceived some benefit, but the damage as
a whole has been much greater than
the benefit. The fruit on the trees and
the grapes were well set and only
where the wind was high was damage
done. Thunder and lightning accom-
panied the storm.
SAN JOSE, May THE rainfall reg
istered at 10:S0 o'clock tonight for the
previous twenty-four hours amounted
to 95 of an inch. Reports coming in
from various fruit sections state tnat
the storm has done considerable harm
to the early cherries and apricots.
SANTA CRUZ, May An extraor-
binary rain for this late season of the
year fell during the night, the precipi-
tation being over an inch. The show
ers came suddenly and were very
heavy and caused the river to rise. The
rain will not harm the crops, but be
benefit
LOS ANGELES, May About half
an inch of rain fell in Los Angeles be-
tween noon and o'clock to-day. The
storm came from the southeast and
was preceded by strong gale. Precip-
itation was probably general over
Southern California. The skies cleared
late this evening and the storm ap-
pears to have passed away.
SAN DECO. May There was a
high wind early this evening and later
several heavy rains.
AUBURN, May NEARLY one inch
of rain has fallen during the present
storm. The weather is cold and un-
pleasant, but there are signs of clear
ing tonight. Orchardists fear that the
cold rain will further damage the cher.
ry crop. Considerable hay was lodged
and will be somewhat damaged, but
! other crops will be benefited.