Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
Potomac and Shenandoah
Submerge Highways and
Railroad Tracks.
ORCHARDS HIT HEAVILY;
SEEDED FIELDS BURIED
Gale Lashes Atlantic Coast-New
Jersey Loss May Be
$500,o00.

Clearing skies tomorrow will spread
sunshine for the first time in four
days over a vast storm wrecked area
extending along the Atlantic Coast
from Maine to Virginia and as far
inland as Ohio.
Chilly and cloudy weather will pre-
vail in Washington today and tonight.
The lowest temperature expected is
about So degrees above zero.
The Weather Bureau recorded 2.7s
inches rainfall here from Sunday until
last night. The normal precipitation
for April is only 3.25 inches.
Its many tributaries turned into
raging torrents by heavy mountain
rains. the Potomac River has left its
banks and is spreading wide destruc-
tion along its upper reaches. The Bal
timore & Ohio Railroad tracks at Har-
pers Ferry are under water and the
tracks at Hancock were expected to be
submerged today. The river is 23.5
feet above flood stage at Williamsport,
Md, and is threatening dwellings there.
An amusement park on the outskirts
OF the city is under water.
Shenandoah Overfiows.
The Shenandoah River also was re-
ported out of bounds, f1oodwaters block
ing the North Valley Pike at Mount
Jackson, Va. Great suffering is expected
to result in farming districts, as the
water has spread over seeded fields and
ruined the prospect of early crops.
Orchards were heavily damaged as the
storm beat blossoms and buds from
the trees.
Wind and waves along the Atlantic
Seaboard have sunk many small craft,
demoralized shipping in general and
damaged shore structures. In New
York harbor, a tug and two barges
sank. Heavy snow is reported in West
ern New York and Pennsylvania. The
storm center has moved to the New
England coast, where terrific gale is
raging.
A five-masted schooner In Crosco
Bay, was torn from her moorings and
thrown on the rocks. A family of four
Guardsmen after Spring tides and heavy
seas had surrounded their bungalow.
The Potomac here is approximately
seven feet above its normal level. It
must go a foot higher, according to
the Weather Bureau, before attaining
real Hood stage. Northwest winds, fat
tening the water in its river bed, make
predictions difficult, Bureau officials
say, but damage is expected to struc-
lures along the shore at Georgetown
If the water rises much higher, as is
expected.
expected. At Chain Bridge this after
noon the stage was 2612 feet above nor
NAL, but it was thought the peak had
been reached.
Seven persons here were injured last
night. one severely, in automobile ac-
cidents on rain-swept streets.
Truck Strikes Viaduct.
Blinded by the downpour, a truck
crashed into the railroad viaduct at
Silver Spring, resulting in injuries to
two men. Roy Deery, the driver, of
Baltimore. is in the Emergency Hospi-
tai, where he was operated on last night
In an effort to save his life.
A temporary bridge was washed out
on Riverside road. over Holy Hole Run,
causing a short traffic delay. HensonS
Bridge, on the Southern Maryland pike,
also was threatened by the high water,
according to reports reaching the State
Roads Commission.
The Eastern Branch left its banks at
Bladensburg, covering roads with 3 and
4 feet of water yesterday. Before
nightfall. the main highways were
closed by order of the commission. The
water at Bladensburg is reported as
slowly receding. and all danger there is
believed past.
Little Lakes in Park.
Both in East and West Potomac Park
today were miniature lakes. Roads,
however, were dry and passable, but the
golf courses, with pools in low-lying
spots, gave little promise of indulgence
in that pastime.
The Potomac, swirling past Hams
Point, had several feet to spare before
reaching the top of the seawall.
The United States park police report
ed that in Rock Creek Park the creek
was out of its banks, nearly touching the
tops of bushes. Rock Greek, they said,
had caused few trees to tumble and
numerous logs f1oated down on the water
from Maryland. The maintenance di-
vision of the Office of Public Buildings
and Parks had little damage to report
In the way of fallen trees. Frank T.
Gartside, its chief, said today.
POTOMAC VALLEY TOWNS HIT.
High Water Spreads Damage in Mary