The state herald., 1914-02-27
SEVEN DEAD IN FLOOD
LOSS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
TOWNS $4,000, 1000.
Houses Are Swept Away, and Feod
Supply in Isolated Places is
Rapidly Diminishing.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Los Angeles, Feb. 23.-With loss
of probably s5,00O.0OO and toll of
seven human lives since Wednesday,
Southern California began to recover
from the effects of the worst storm in
its history. Swept by wind and rain
for three days most of the territory be-
tween the Tehachapi mountains and
the Mexican line was flooded, but
while nearly all of the towns affected
remained isolated, progress was made
toward re-establishing wire and rail
communication.
According to an estimate made by
A. C. Hansen, assictcnt city engineer,
Los Angeles was damaged to the ex-
tent of at least $1.500,000. One hum
dred and fifty thousand dollars repre-
sented the damage to the city streets
alone. The balance represented losses
sustained by railroads and by citizens
who lost their homes which were
swept away by the floods with all
their household effects.
Except in the vicinity of Pomona,
this county. where young groves suf-
fered severely, orange growers report
ed comparatively little damage.
Ranches and small farms in the low
lands were inundated but no reliable
data could be obtained as to the losses
sustained by them.
Railroads report that the collapse Of
big bridges over the Los Angeles river
in this city and the washing out OF
heavy spans elsewhere made 1t uncer-
tain when traffic could be resumed.
Lord and Lady Decies are lost"
Somewhere in the San Joaquin valley
they are stormbound in their private
car. Owing to the fact that telegraph
wires are down. Southern Pacific off
cials said they hadn't the remotest idea
as to just where they are. Lord and
Lady Decies. who came to the coast
from Denver. left San Francisco Thurs
day for Los Angeles. At Santa Bar
bara they were delayed two days by
railroad washouts.
More than 100 homes were destroyed
in Los Angeles alone by the torrents
that rushed through the Los Angeles
river and the Arroyo Seco. As the
floods in those waterways subsidized
Saturday night household goods and
other property. including everything
from pans to pianos and beds, were
left stranded on sand bars.
Whittier. a suburb OF Los Angeles,
reported a shortage Of food which
would became acute II transportation
facilities were not restored within a
day or two.
The water system supplying Clare
mont was seriously damaged and the
towns supply OF drinking water was
cut off for a time.
Pasadena suffered the came trouble
and the Orange Grove avenue district.
populated almost exclusively by col
ony of eastern millionaires. had to get
its supply OF drinking water by the
pailful from city water wagons sent
out after n big water main broke.
Claremont. near Pomona. also was
isolated. and the supply OF bread was
reported to be ON famine basis.
Two railroad wrecks. In one OF
which twelve persons were injured.
were caused by the storm and floods
near San Bernardino.
Weakened by the rush of waters,
poles and towers carrying power lines
and the wires OF telegraph and tele-
phone companies went down under
the assault Of the winds. and. with rail
roads and suburban trolley lipes al
ready out OF commission. the situation
became at once one OF complete pros.
tratlon.
Food for Three Hundred Travellers.
Automobiles. wagons and pack mules
laden with food supplies were rushed
from San Bernnrdno Sunday night to
the rescue OF 300 passengers aboard
two bloodhound Santa Fe trains, rail-
road officials fearing that the ma
rooned people are close to starvation.
The trains. known ms the California
limited and the Phoenix Express. east.
bound from Los Angeles. were stalled
Friday afternoon at Summit In PASS