The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-15
Basement of New Ex- change Hotel is
 Flooded.
 .-~--- LOSS MAY REACH slo.ooo In Thirty Minutes z2s Inches of
 Water Fell.
 ---~--e-4----- X cellars Downtewn were rnundated, and Dexter Avenue was Running stream--No Unusual Rise
 In nivers Predicted.

A ratnstorm nearly opprOacHihe cloudburst broke upon Montgomery at s:55 o'clock yesterday. evening and continued with remarkable severity until 7:25 o'clock. In these thirty minutes 2.25 inches of rain fell, streets were submerged, many cellars were inundated and at least $10,ooo property damage was done.
 A storm water sewer on the com- merce street side of the New Exchange Hotel burst with such force as to break an adjacent water pipe and in c few seconds there was four and a half feet of water in the basement of the fine hotel where the handsomely appointed barber shop. the billiard parIors. the wine rooms and the linen rooms are located. The damage to property in this part of the hotel was estimated as high as s7.ooo with no insurance. The loss win fall upon Manager J. E. Hickey of the new hotel, and it was intimated last night that the inundation Of the cellar may re- suit in suit against the city gov ernment
 The basement of The Advertiser building was flooded to a depth Of about one-half foot and a number of cellars under large wholesale stores on Commerce Street wera half filled with water.
 1t was impossible last night to get any idea of the damage done by the heavy rain and wind. Business houses in the wholesale district. which were most afEected, had closed for the day and no investigation was made last night to ascertain the amount of dam age done in these places.
 Avenne . Running Stream.
 Deep black clouds were observed tc the northwest and scurryinE toward Montgomery as early as sec o'clock and those who watched the clouds ex- pected the storm which broke sudden ly at $50 o'clock. The rain came down in a perfect torrent. Within five minutes Dexter Avenue was a running stream. In front of The Advertiser of fice the water almost completely hid the pavement from view. The water swept down the hill from the Capitol and was so deep and the current was so strong that 1t bore debris with 1t.
 Surface sewers were cholxed and the sidealks of Dexter Avenue were swept
 AO&u tnG 4ASA AG t1G H98E UT tAG County court house the water flooded the west corridor and filled the office of the Clerk of the City Court. Deputy Clerk 1T. K. Watts, who was working there had to leave the office. At one time the water was nearly a half foot ceep on the cement floor in this office.
 Genetta Ditch, which skirts the southern edge of the city. was roar ing stream seven to ten feet deep for w..s T~. Ia al thA af hah ceased.
 Throughout the storm the wind blew fitfully but not at any time with suf- ficient velocity to wreak damage to property. There were sharp bolts of lightning.
 At late hour last night the police department reported that no informa- tion had been received of injuries toi persons or damage to property other than that in the business district.
 The street car service was impaired and there was interference with the light and telephone service but these were soon remedied.
 Damage at the Hotel.
 The greatest damage done by the storm was at the New Exchange Hotel. The cellars, where are located the pool room. barber shop, cigar store rooms. and the general store rooms of the hotel were flooded.
 Chief Clerk Jack Moffett said last night that the damage to the hotel store rooms could not be estimated until an inventory had been made. but that the pool room was complete wreck.
 The storm sewers on Commerce street, 1t Is said, became ehoked with the immeose volume of water and were unable to stand the great pres sure. Just in front of the New Ex-