The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-21
GULF COAST STORM SWEPT


failed the operator at the Galveston
end reported a terrific storm raging
and that there was intense excite
ment in the city. Some parts of the
city were then under water.
The local weather bureau says it
is not likely that the storm at Gal
weston will be very serious. The
weather observers here think the
damage will be confined to wharf
and pier destruction.
Warnings Sent Out.
New Orleans, La, July 21.-Hur-
ricane warnings for east Texas were
issued by the United States weather
bureau today.
Sighted Last Saturday.
Washington, July 21.-A report receiv-
ed at the weather bureau from Calves
ton, stated that at 1920 this morning
ter in the western portion of the city
was several feet deep. At that hour
the barometer stood at 1854 inches and
was falling rapidly. The wind was from
the northeast and blowing at rate of
A miles an hour With maximum of
90 miles. The storm that is prevail
ing along the Texas coast was first
sighted last Saturday over the Carib-
advised daily regarding it's advance
over the Gulf of Mexico and no serious
damage is anticipated
Not a Hurricane.
New Orleans, July 21.-A special from
Houston, Texas. says while there is
along the Texas coast, the velocity Of
the wind at Houston would not ind1-
cate a hurricane similar to those which
have played havoc along the gulf coast
in former years.
Wires Were Lost.
Kansas City, Mo, July 21.-At 1890
this afternoon the Postal Telegraph
company reported that it's Dallas Of
fee had lost all wires to Galveston.
The Western Union also lost its COM
runication with the gulf city.
The local weather bureau received
brief telegram from Galveston saying
a hurricane prevailed there Corpus
Christi, however. reported no unusual
conditions at the latter point
Wireless Would Not Work.
New Orleans. La. July 21.-Enorts
to get into wireless communication
with Galveston were without success
up to 1 o'clock this afternoon.
Whole Coast i'm Peril.
Houston, Tex, July 21.-From the
nature of Gulf of Mexico hurricanes
it can be said with certainty that if
the water at Galveston has risen so
the surf is jumping over the sea wall
there is also perilously high water
along the Texas coast for scores and
perhaps hundreds of miles either
side of Galveston. Small communi-
ties, fishing villages and numerous
summer resorts along this un-
protected coast would be in the great
est danger of being overwhelmed by
the waves. In the history of gulf
storms, it has been these places that
have usually suffered worse and
where in the aggregate there has been
the greatest loss of life.
In general the gulf coast is very low.
Some places are but four or five feet
above the water level and human habi-
tation extend to the waters edge, be-
cause the normal tides are insignificant.
The dangerous popularity of the guf
hurricanes Is that they blow ire
mendous tide against the shore, over
flowing what is ordinarily land some
times for miles and flooding houses and
occasionally villages. On this high wa
ter the hurricane drives tremendous
surf which uproots trees, smashes
wooden structures and has often been
known to batter down brick structures.
The hurricane frequently blows for
hours. One of the most tragic exam
pies of the propensities of gulf hurri-
canes was the devastation of Lost IS
land, on the Louisiana coast
many years ago. 1t was a summer re-
sort. The guests at the resort watched
the storm until it drove t EN- indoors,
the island The water rose gradually
for several days. There was merry
making in the Lost Island hotels and
while the storm grew worse
and the water rose higher and higher.
Finally one night came the climax
when the wind increased in fury and
brought up sea which overhowed the
island and destroyed the cottages. The
loss of life ran in o the hundreds
Extended to NIatagOrdo Bay.
New Orleans, July 21.-The storm
which struck the Texas coast today
swept westward from the gulf. Re
ports so far received indicate damage
as far south as Matagordo bay.