Evening star., 1927-05-14
TEN-FOOT FLOOD
WALL POURS into
SUGAR BOWL AREA
Water Engulfs Section as
Gap in Louisiana Levee
WidenS to 600 Feet.
INCREASED DAMAGE
PLACED AT $4,000, 900
Break Adds Thousands to Number
of Refugees, 100000 Acres
Face Inundation.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW ORLEANS, May 14.-waters
from the Bayou Des CLASSES crevasse
were hourly adding to the total square
miles of submerged lands in Louisiana
today. engulfing the famous sugar
BOWL and the Evanegeline country In
their seaward march. The breaks
were $50 miles northwest of here. on
the west side of the Atachafalaya
River.
The latest collapses alone viii in.
crease the agricultural loss of the
State by $10,000,000 and boost the
total of the States homeless to nearly
100000. When the Bayou des Glaises
waters reach the Gulf of Mexico
more than ] 200, 900 acres of Louisiana
will be submerged in a vast lake. 225
miles long and ranging from 80 to
100 miles in width.
Crevasse 600 Feet Wide.
The crevasse at Moreauville was
reported to be 600 feet wide, with a
wave of water to 10 feet deep sweep
ing through the gap. Moreauyille was
rapidly evacuated yesterday and last
night. while adjacent territory also
was being deserted. Army engineers
estimated last night that 100 square
miles had been inundated.
A naval aviator flying low over the
country behind the crevasses late yes
terday said that the waters would
reach Melville within 36 hours, but
by tnat time few people would remain
In the territory. The aviator said the
water was moving swiftly.
Coast guardsmsn in charge of res
cue work declared that they believed
no lives would be lost Former Gov.
j. ". Barker. food dictator, made
similar prediction.
Crest Moves South.
The crest OF the fosd in the Tensas
basin was moving steadily south
ward, the wafer ut Nswellton. in upper
fensas parish. remaining stationary.
Reads in the immediate vicinity OF
she crevase.es mere lined with srefi,-.
ices and lhAguyiiout the night boats
1atroiled tbe lnvee lire to take off
those who went to the dikes for
:afety. Fer the most part refugees
brought with them only the clothing
hey wore.
Refugees were evacuated to Man.
siira and MarlSsville. Mansura, while
on Bayou Des GLASSES, was high and
dry. being situated on bluff 90 feet
above The water line
Weather Bureau officials here issued
a warning that little relief could be
expected along the Mississippi River.
as the water in the Tensas Basin was
higher than ever before.
bikes Are Strengthened.
Along the main line of levees hold.
ing the Mississippi within narrow
bounds from Angola and Old River
south, work continued with forces
concentrated at Plaquemine Point, IS
miles south of Baton Rouge. and at
Torres, where the dikes were being
raised hurriedIy to prepare for the ap-
preaching crest.
Sand boils developed Thursday at
Plaquemine Point, but engineers be-
lleVed the situation was under control.
Planters called to the scene last night
arrived in evening dress from a dance
and directed laborers in erecting a
barrier.
New Orleans continued to be re.
garded as safe. The situation in Miss
1ssippi gradually was improving.
more than 5000 refugees returning to
their homes from the Yazoo City
Refugee Camp, while from other
areas flood victims were returning to
begin rebuilding farms.