Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-05-25
SEVERE STORMS.


darkness, street car traffic tied up, tui-
ness at a staudstill, and the resident 10
terror, as the result of a storm of cyclonic
proportions which swept over the city
abou. 7:3O o'clock yesterday evening.
The wind blew at the rate of 70 miles an
hour, and 1t was accompanied by ter
rife dowppour Of rain and ase7ere elec-
.ricsl storm.
just as the storm broke lightning
struck the plant Of the Wilmington Elec-
trio Company and fire broke gu: in the
building which was practically destroyed
with all the machienry.
1t was this plant that furnished elec-
trIc light for the city streets and for
hundreds of business houses aud homes.
AS q result OF its destruction the streets
were dark, shops aud stores bad to close
their doors aud houses we're left 10 totsl
darkness. The light company ia sub.
sidiary concern of the Wilmington OtS
Railway Company, and the power for the
street car lines of the la'tsr was secured
lhropgh the lighting plant.
The severest wind and rainstorm 10
years swept Willismspori, Md, and
vicinity at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon
doing Widespread damage, to property
and growing crops. The rainfall was
like cloudburst and deluged the ccnaty
for miles around. Acres of wheat and
corn and public roads we're flooded and
badly washed. Nearly one-tourth of
the wheat crop Was bestsn a.t to the
earth. The lower sections of Williams
port we're inundated by surface water
from the streets, and the cellars from 8
pumber of houses and gardens were
flooded. All OF the small streams were
rising last night. Much damage was
done by the wind, which bad almost
the velocity of hurricane. Shade and
fruit trees we're broken down, window
glass we're shattered and other damage
vas done. The stssp'e OF the Mtthc-
dist church was damaged either by
lightning or wind. The storm was
general along the Potomac river. The
electric Lightning system of the town
WAS put ont Of commission for several
hours.
The unsettled weather in eastern and
central Pennsylvania the last several
days eliminated yesterday afternoon aud
last night in the worst electrical stoIms
OF the season, nearly every part of the
state being visited by severe disturb.
ances. Two meu were Instantly killed
by lightning lsat night while returning
from work In coal mine at Mount
Carmel, Pa, yesterday. The storms in
several directions we're accompanied by
hail, especially at Harrisburg, and by
heavy rains. Telegrsphio service was
ssriously interierred with In the late
afternoon and during the night.
A storm that leveled grain to the
ground, uprooted trees and tore down
fences swept ever York, Pa. and vici-
nifty at 7 O'Clock yesterday evening.
The storm WAS severe In B B,lt:nore
and Vicinity. The large double coaster
racer In course of construction st Luna
Park, at the western end of Baltimore
street. was struck by lightning and
demolished. The damage to trees was
extensive all over the city.
Louise Young, colored girl, aged 6
years, was killed BY skylight that had
been blown from the Florence Oeu,t
apartment house, at California avenus
and Phelps place, Washington while the
storm was raging. Trees we're blown
down, and inpumerable branches strewed
the streets and parks when the wind
stopped blowing. Flashes OF lightning
aud sharp clsps of thunder accompanied
the wind and 8 ,,downpour Of rain, which
cooled the oppressive atmosphere.