The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-12-02

Aliho no official reports had
peen received up 10 noon Friday
~ County Engineer Thomas X.
tsceman. residents OF Kent and
other valley towns that have
been partly or entirely sub
merged declared that the floods
are rcceding.
This Is accounted for" Beeman
explained. by the fact that a cold
snap has set In M In the mountains.
staying the melting snow. and by
today's cessation OF rain locally"
Just how near the floods came to
establishing new high-water mark
cannot be determined yet The OBJ
BILE on account OF the water. But as
these stations are self recording we
will be able when the floods have
receded a bit more 10 make def.
mite report on the height OF the
water"
Beeman left Friday for another
general survey OF the situation.
While reports from outlying sta.
tons arc slow 20 como In. the very
fact that difficulty Is experienced in
obtaining them indicates. Bceman
states. that the flood Is interrupting
business and communications thru.
out the iowland sections
Nearly - hours ago the Puyal-
lup river was within three feet
Of the highest mark ever rr-
corded. and the water was stiIl
rising No reports have been
had since from that point.
or the valley towns. Kent Is suf.
fering most. Practically all OF the
business and residence section is I'M
der water. with a maximum depth OF
TWO feet or slightly over. Beyond
the Northern Pacific farms. which Is
as far as any automobile has been
able 10 force It's way on the high.
way. the water Is said to be four
feet deep.
Kent Is converted Into a small
Venice. Except for very small
section. the entire town Is under
water to a maximum depth Of more
than two feet
bikes of earth and boards and
sandhags keep the water banked up
are open for business as usual
Trade. however is necessarily linn
tted TO those who have hip boots
A few small boats are In use. but
autos. wagons and trucks for the
main sail up ard down the flooded
streets. causing small breakers TO
curl along the sides OF the build
tngs that flank the canal.
Pedestrians I'm boots feel their
< way along the submerged sidewalks.
Children have as much fun wadlng
as they would playing In the snow.
They can't get TO school.
In the residence section OF Kent.
the water was up TO the porch level
Of many homes. and five families
X have been forced out BY the flood.
Damage up to the present has not
been extensive. due TO the prepare
fions that were made for the pos
sibie overflow. This condition was
predicted week ago by County En-
Efnecr Beeman. but was delayed by
freezing In the mountains which so
halted the melting of the snow.
Even tho the rush Of torrents from
the hills might be stopped at
this date. Friday was expected 10
see the high peak OF the flood In the
valleys south Of Seattle. for n IN
said TO take fun day for the flood
20 make its way to the sea from
points near its source.
Interurban electrics and the main
line steam trains are running on
schedule, but automobile traffic on
the West Side and East Side high.
ways to Tacoma Is completely block.
I'd by the water. The only auto
route to Tacoma is the old high line
drive.
The Auburn Black Diamond high.
way n flooded. and so is the road to
Enumciaw. Auburn is virtually sur.
rounded by water.
The White. Green and Stuck rtv.
ers. and Soos creek are all over their
banks.
The only bridge believed TO be in
any danger OF going out Is the Peck
bridge on the Kent-Des Moines high
way, over White river. An increas.
ing jam OF driftwood was collecting
against IL.
Many farmers have driven their
stock to the highlands. but no casual.
ties to either men or animals has
been reported.