Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-16

Reports reaching Dothan said water
was 20 feet in the business district of
Geneva and that the one-story post
Office was completely submerged.
A radiogram from National Guard
plane to the Maxwell Field base here
said boatmen were padding frantically
in the torrents and that the situation
was very bad.
Many OF the Geneva residents were
evacuated yesterday toward a pre-
yiouSiy established rescue camp near
Enterprise. but many of the $500 pop
uiatlon remained behind. Loss Of life
was undetermined.
So far confirmed reports indicated
the death list from the floods of the
last three days at II, but it was be-
lieved many others were drowned in
communities which have not yet been
restored TO communication.
Half a dozen small towns were In
undated as we'll as isolated and $4,000
persons marooned
Conditions at Elba swept by a deluee
from Pea River and White Water Greek.
were improved, as is the case at Brew
ton. Flomaton and several other towns.
Five are known In have lost their
lives at Elba, two at Flomaton. three at
Geneva and two at Andalusia. There
are numerous unverified reports of other
deaths.
Half the population of Elba had been
brought out this morning. while those
remaining are not considered in imme-
diate danger. but in need of food and
supplies. National Guardsmen, at a
rescue base south of Troy. said the
waters at Elba were receding rapidly
and that they hoped to reach there by
noon with trucks.
Night of Horror Described.
Refugees arriving from Elba last night
told of night and day of horror spent
in attics and upon housetops, away from
the Swirling water in the streets, while
they waited for rescue
DR.. r. A. Smith. mayor of Brewton.
said over long-distance telephone that
Murder and Burnt Creeks would be
within their banks by noon today
Brewton's business district was under 10
feet of water at the crest. Dr. Smith
estimated damage to Brewton and low
sections surrounding it at sl,000,o0o.
Food Dropped From Planes.
Telephone linemen who reached Flo
maton early today said conditions there
were improving with the Escambia
River falling rapidly. Water was ex-
pected to be out of the streets bv noon.
Yesterday several hundred people ma
rooned in their homes we're rescued by
boats sent from Pensacola. Food sup
plies we're dropped from airplanes sent
from the Pensacola naval base.
Persimmon Creek. normally little more
than a foot deep. swept through Gar
land to a depth of 20 feet in the main
street. Castleberry place of 500 pop
ulation. experienced similar deluge
from Murder Creek.
Andalusia and large sections Of Cow
ington County was in the grip of the
worst flood of years. Throughout the
county people are reported marooned
on house tops and in trees awaiting
rescue.
Mississippi Valley Safe at Present.
Several days will be required for re-
pair of main artery highways and rail-
road facilities washed away in the flood
No estimates of damage to the State
have yet been attempted.
No immediate danger of serious
flood is felt in the lower Mississippi
valley. Meteorologists have emphasized
that water now in sight. without further
heavy rains for the next 10 DAYS, should
create no misgivings.
Levees are being patrolled and every
precautionary measure is being taken In
the event of general rains upon tributary
watersheds.