The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-24
FRENCH FLOOD
VERY CRITICAL
River Seine Registers Highest in
the History Of France for
Many Years.
WATfR FAMINE THREATENED
Railroad Traffic Has Been Suspended
and Water Weakens Foundations
OF Buildings Along River
Front-Wide Area.

Paris, Jan. 24.-The flood situation
of Paris reached more critical stage
this morning. The Seine had risen
nine inches since two O'Clock, and now
registers 1853 metres at Pont Royal.
This is the highest the river has been
since 1902, when it reached $50 me-
tres, the highest recorded in the his
tory of France except in the year 1915.
terrible tempest of rain and wind
which broke over city at daylight only
adds TO the horror of the situation and
suffering OF the poor and homeless.
The river presents an awe-inspiring
spectacle. ~ quarter Of million of pe1-
pie throng the stone parapets, and
quays, watching the yellow tide which
crowded with driftwood, wine casks
and other wreckage is rushing sea-
ward. The water is almost flush with
the arches OF the bridges.
The municipal authorities are hope
full that the maximum stage of the wa
ter will be reached tonight. Firemen.
and police troops are working like
mad at all the bridges ,disentangling
the blockades resulting from floating
debris and it is hoped all the bridges
will be saved. The traffic on several
of the frazier ones, however has been
stopped. All the cellars along the
quays are filled with water.
One of the chief dangers is the weak
ening of the foundations of buildings
along the water front by the sweeping
waters. The retaining walls of the
foreign office are surrounded by water,
and the beautiful garden in the rear of
the building is a veritable lake. The
streets around the chamber of depu-
ties are not considered safe for traffic
and these thoroughfares are forbidden.
The partial crippling of the cities
water supply threatens the capital with
o water famine. The police are notify
ing inhabitants to boil water used for
purposes to avoid the danger
Of typhoid epidemic.
The surface and underground rail-
ways remain partially suspended Rail-
road traffic is utterly demoralized and
suspended to the south
ward of Paris. The situation is sub
urban places up and down the river is
ieplorable The lower quarters of all
towns below Paris are under water,
he streets of Auteuil resembling those
IF Venice
A dyke near st. Germain broke today
ioodng the valley as far as Malmai-
son. The lower portion of Bois De
Boulogne is a blanket of water reach
ng to Bagatelle. Judging from the re-
ports received today a quarter of
france is under water.
1t is impossible to estimate the
loss resulting from the floods
,ut it will run into millions of francs.
fortunately the loss of life is small. |
rhe eastern, central and southeastern |
districts of France are inundated and !
he cities and towns in darkness.
Troops everywhere have been ordered
o rescue work.
The water in many villages along the |
Seine and Marne reaches the roofs of
dwellings,. A number of factories and
Mills have stopped work in the Houre
'alley. Great damage has been done
o beautiful automobile roads which
AVE been washed out i'm many places.
The rivers Rhone and Loire are fall
ng in the lower regions and the situa-
ion is greatly improved at Lyons. The
government has ordered the projects
nd military commanders everywhere
o provide food and shelter for the re-
ief Of the sufferers.