Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-01-23
FLOOD WATERS
LEAVE YUMA IN
TOTAL DARKNESS
Raging Torrent From Colorado
River Breaks LeveeS and
Puts Water and Electric
Plants Out of Business,

yuma Ariz.. Jan. 22.--Yuma val
lex was covered to a depth of from
one to four feet ia flood water from
the Colorado river tonight as a re-
suit Of the breaking of the govern
ment lcvees near here today. The
city Of Yuma was in darkness and
without supply OF water as the
iplants supplying gas, electricity and
water were flooded,
a citizens committee was maintain
ing order here. Mayor Charles C.
Moore having died of heart failure
duiing the excitement that prevailed
shortly after the levees gave way.
Business houses in the main street
here were flooded to depth Of four
feet by the water and many of the
older buildings were washed away or
badly damaged Residents were sent
to the hills back from the river.
Thousands Of acres of agricultural
land, both on the Arizona and Cali
fornia sides Of the Colorado We're in
undated The irrigation canals were
filled to the breaking point. and it
was feared that serious damage would
result TO the gigantic irrigation pro-
jcct that supplies all the Imperial
valley Of California.
Communication TO the farming see
tons near here was cut off. preventing
the receipt of definite reports on the
situation in many communities.
Several thousand head of stock
were In the low sections Of the Yuma
valley and It was feared that large
of them have been de-
The river appeared to be fall
ing here late today but il was
thought This was caused by breaks in
the levees. and that the volume Of
water flowing by here really had not
Many Of the Oldest buildings In
Yuma have disappeared beneath the
flood waters. It was estimated early
tonight that at least 100 houses had
been destroyed.
The Catholic rectory was in danger
of being carried away at any time and
a squad of men were braCing II with
props and sand bags. The building is
two stories in height and constructed
of adobe
Wells Fargo Express company was
compelled to move from its building
adjoining the office e the Yuma IL
aminer, 'vhiCh WIS flooded to Il dcrth
of four feet The building in which
the Morning Sun was located was a
complete ltss be'n% ono If the inst 10
be ind rlnl'ed by the Naier.
All reports from the upper Color |
ado rive tonight stafcli that The water |
was falling lut the fln1l here shows I
no indications Of reccdn..
The water at Psrc was lappiug /
against the girders nf the southern |
Pacific railroad bridge but the struc- /
lure at that hour was withstanding |
The pressure.
Officials of the reclamation service
estimated that from 10000 to 175, {
300 second feet of water was passing
his point early tonight--the heaviest
food condition ever recorded here.
Practically every house in the lower
lalf If that section was almost buried
inder the murky waters. II was be-
icVed that all the residents escaped
No estimates of damage either In
u una or the surrounding country
'Ould be made tonight Several citi-
ems stated that an appeal probably
would be made To congress for an inn
Mediate appropriation to repair the
lamagc to the irrigation project, as
ierious injury would be done the
arms OF settlers If prompt steps were
rot taken.
A committee was at work tonight
housing the homeless and distributing
God TO hungry families. The town
vas well policed