Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-08-07
WALL OF WATER

the Santa Rita mountains, the
Hood water accumulated into a
liquid wall that rushed down the
Valley and inundated the lower
portions Of the international city,
particularly the Mexican side. five
20 eight feet.
The screams of women arose
above the roar Of the flood as the
water quickly surrounded the homes
Of sleeping residents. Eye witnesses
said infants in their Grips were
swept into the flood. Adobe strunc-
lures, characteristic of Mexican
and Indian culture, crumbled as
the flood undermined them.
Confusion prevailed to such an
extent that an immediate survey
was impossible. Electric light and
power systems failed. as did tele-
phonic communication within the
city. A lone wire carried news OF
the flood to the outside world.
Rains In Sheets
Flood water stood six feet deep
in international street. the thor
oughfare Of picturesque shops which
divides the two cities.
Flood waters followed a stream
bed, usually dry, which runs bet
ween the towns. Through Interna-
tional street the dry bed is covered
with concrete, forming a tunnel In
capable Of carrying flood waters.
Forcing itself through the tonnel
the water spouted high, drenching
many large buildings. The flood
ripped through adobe structures.
stripping them clean of everything
movable.
The water wall bore down upon
the sleeping cities ahead Of the
rainstorm. When the storm struck.
rain fell in sheets. At Z a. m. 1t was
still pouring down.
The Deluge held the cities in its
grip for more than three hours.
at seven o'clock international St.
and many side streets still were
filled from curb to curb. and
Derbis was piled high against the
buildings.
Hundreds OF Mexicans ventured
to the higher side streets clad only
in nights clothes. all their possess
sionS swept from their shattered
adobe homes.
Shelter was given them In houses
that escaped the flood.
More than fifty automobiles.
left in the streets were buried in
derbis. Several had been rolled
and tumbled several blocks.
Still Wade In Water
Dozens Of persons on the Ameri-
can side Of the line reported this
morning water was still three feet
deep in their homes. Scores said
they had been up all night "wad-
ing in water TO the waist, trying
10 save their homes and furniture.
Streets were SO clogged with water,
mud and debris they had difficult
ty making their way out to search
ing parties. organized TO chek up
on the dead and locate the mis-
sing.
While searchers began a tedious
survey, doctors and nurses were
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hospital beds, were made ready.
II. r. SiSk. publisher Of the
NogaleS Herald. reported at seven
a. m. his office were a foot deep
in mud and water. All Telegraphic
communication with Phoenix was
down since midnight and only
Telephone wire to that city re-
NAMED in service.
A girl telephone operator who
declined to give her name, reported
the scene as she saw il at six
o'clock.
Every street I passed on the
way 70 work" she said. was a
scene Of wreckage. Everything
imaginable from homes was scat
tered in every direction. There
ERE broken beds, chairs, tables.
ice boxes, baskets, broken wagons
ffiftwood and just about every
thing that can be named"