New Britain herald., 1921-09-10
Water 10 To Is Feet In
Depth Rushes Through
Streets AS River Over
flows Banks
At Noon 80 Bodies, Mostly
Women and Children, Had
Been Taken From the
Wreckage.


Thirty bodies, mostly those|
of women and children were in|
the morgue at noon today as thel
result of last nights flood. Es-|
Inmates of the probable loss of
life continue large, the police still
placing it at 500. The property
loss is certain to be many mill
lions. AS the waters recede or
ganized bands of workers and
rescuers are searching the ruined
houses.
Troops from Fort Sam Hous-
ton are patrolling the city and
aiding in rescue work.
The water supply is cut off as
is the electric light and telephone
power.
Estimate of the loss of life
reaches as high as 500 by police
and fire officials.
Water Is Feet Deep.
Water from the San Antonio river
which winds through the city and
from its tributary, the Olmos Creek,
flooded the business section of the
city for many blocks to a depth of
from ten to 5 feet. The San Pedro
Creek on the west side of the city
which runs through the Mexican dis
trict, overf1owed and joined the wa
ters from the river and swept through
the southern part of the city.
Water stood 5 feet deep in the
lobby of the Gunter hotel which is
a block from the river. The flood
reached to the Alamo Plaza on the
east, which is five blocks from the
river.
Car Service Stopped.
The powerhouse will be out of
commission for at least two or three
days. There is a partial telephone
service. Water service will be cut
off for at least "a hours. Street car
service is cut off indefinitely.
Both banks of the San Antonio
river are strewn with the wreckage
CT houses. \ number of automobiles
were swept away.
Throughout the night the east and
west sides of the city were cut off
from each other and it was only at
daylight that the waters had receded
to permit crossing by one
bridge in the northern part.
Much Loss of Life.
1t is believed that the greatest loss
of life occurred in the Mexican dis Z
trict. Residents in that section were
unable to get out though aided
the night by firemen and
police and troops from Fort Sam 6
Houston.
Newspaper plants were flooded, but
the San Antonio Light issued an ex-
ira on a hand press at 6 a. m. i
Ala of Of tn. 55
the valley of the San Antonio river
south of the city are coming in, but ].
the Light is unable to confirm them. z
Six Bodies Recovered.
At s a. m. Phil Wright, commits
sioner of fire and police stated he be-
ieved the loss of life to be very S
1igh.' He could give no definite fig.
ares. He had just completed a tour
If the flooded district.
Only six bodies have been recov-
cred SO far.
Heavy Rainfall.
An unprecedented rainfall which
began at midnight Wednesday and
continued throughout Friday and
friday night caused the flood. At
east eight inches of rain fell during
his period. Early last night there
vas a heavy rainfall in the valley
If the Olmos Creek north of the city.
Water from the creek rushed into the
an Antonio river and Joined the
urface water which was pouring into
he river from the heavy rain II
throughout the day in the city proper.
The river went out of it's banks
within a few hours. The water and
lectric light plants are located along
he banks of the river and they were
ut out of business quickly.
Street car traffic was stopped and
undreds of people were unable to
each their homes. Many of them
oent the night wandering about the
usiness district. Police and firemen
tempted to warn residents in the
[exican section of the city and sue
eeded in getting hundreds of them
, safety before the San Pedro Creek
verf1owed. Many others were cut off
Continued on Fifth Pagel