Evening star., 1933-09-17
NORTH CAROLINA SUFFERS
Wind and Flood Damage Reaches Mil
lions in State.


NEW BERN. N. c.. September l6
lP).-A tropical hurricane roared up
the Atlantic seaboard late today. leav-
devastation in Northeastern North
Carolina.
Two persons were known to have
been drowned and property damage, it
was feared. would run into millions OF
dollars. The damage at New Bern
alone. inundated by the heaviest tides
on record. was estimated at S1.000,O00
The storm left a mass of tangled
wire and trees in its wake as 1t cut
sWath of destruction along the resort
country, and Elizabeth City and other
towns and communities were isolated.
As communication with Morehead City
and Beaufort was re-eStabllShed today
reports came in telling a grim story
of desolation and "indescribable con-
fusion"
Island Damage Unknown.
No word had been received from the
low-lying barrier islands. 1t was feared
the damage there would be heaviest
These points have been cut off from
the outside world since late last night
The last report from Elizabeth City,
the most northerly town on the North
Carolina coast, came shortly after mid
night from an amateur wireless oper-
ator there.
The city is partly under water said
the message intercepted by an amateur
at Charlotte. After that brief message
communication went out.
Elizabeth City is the most populous
town in the extreme northeastern por-
ton of the State
Among the larger communities be-
heved to have been struck by the hurri-
cane were Belhaven, Aurora, Oriental,
Wanchese, Manteo and Camden. No
word has come from these communities
since yesterday. Around 100000 people
live IN the nine counties in the storm
area.
Relief Groups Busy.
The Red Cross the National Guard,
the State highway patrol and State
health officers stood in readiness to rush
into the sparsely populated northeastern
sector on a moments notice. Mean
while, John M. Sarrar, representative OF
the Red Cross arrived at Wilmington
today and proceeded at once to New
Bern. Other Red Cross workers pre-
pared to rush into the storm area.
Charleston, S. c., and Wilmington
escaped the full fury of the hurricane,
but it hit here late yesterday, reaching
a maximum velocity of between SO ana
10 miles an hour.
Trees were uprooted, light structures
along the water front crumbled and
waters from the Neuse and Trent Rivers
converging here sent tide OF feet
of water through the business section OF
this town of $4,000 inhabitants.
The Neuse River Bridge, connecting
New Bern and Bridgeton on Federal
Highway No. II, collapsed during the
night. Two automobiles on the bridge
we're reported to have been swept away,
but their occupants apparently escaped.
Resort Cities Hard Hit.
The twin resort cities of Morehead
City and Beaufort were lashed for II
hours by the hurricane. and mountain
plants were paralyzed and the in
habitants of the twin cities huddled in
darkness as the wind estimated at 80
to 100 miles an hour, unroofed numer-
GUS houses
The Morehead City power plant was
partially blown down and machinery
damaged to the extent that officials
said it would take so days for repairs.
It was hoped, however. that the Beau
fort plant also damaged. could be put
in operation within a day or so and
supply the twin cities with electricity.
First reports from the Beaufort
Morehead City area said there had
apparently been no loss Of life, but be-
fore communications were cut OF from
the coast islands, two deaths were re-
ported. one at Hatteras and another on
Roanoke Island.
A seaman Vas washed OF the motor