Evening star., 1933-08-24
PotOnacRising.
Flood Damage
Is Unlikely.
MOTORIST DEAD;
FEW INJURED
Rainfall Totals 6.42
Inches-Cale Peak
Is 81 NJ. p. H.
Storm pictures-Pages AS and As.

While Washington and environs
today cleared wreckage and re-
paired damage from the worst
tropical storm in this area since
1898, leaving one death and many
injured in its wake, the Potomac
River, swollen by flood waters
from its upper watershed, con-
tinued to rise, with prospects that
the peak of the high water would
be reached tomorrow. No serious
flood damage, however, is ex-
pected here.
Clyde K. Chapman, 81, died at
Georgetown Hospital from in
juries received when he was struck
by a falling tree while driving his
automobile near Falls Church,
Va. Many persons were marooned
yesterday afternoon in homes and
automobiles, and several were
slightly injured by falling trees
and in minor accidents, but a
check-up today disclosed no storm
victims in serious condition.
The National Capital was severely
crippled yesterday by the tropical dis
turbance which raced in on the wings
of a high wind, accompanied by a
heavy downpour of rain. The precipi-
tation over 36-hour period was re-
corded at the Weather Bureau as 6.42
inches. Water street southwest was
flooded last night, as were several out
used.
Roads Reopened Today.
Order was being restored today to the
drenched and storm marked city, how
ever, and roads which had been closed
were gradually being opened. The
Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,
which had been closed early this morn.
ing, was opened to traffic about 10
o'clock.
The Potomac River, which flooded over
into some of the Southwest water front
and over parts of East Potomac Park
last night, had receded sufficiently to-
day for the Speedway to be opened to
traffic Large pools Of water still stood,
however, at low points in the park. and
early today Hains Point still was inun-
dated.
Strangely enough, the Potomac River,
while still rising today above Key
Bridge, was expected to inflict less dam
age to the city below Key Bridge than
yesterday.
Winds Cause River Rise.
The high waters of last night, accord
ing to M. w. Hayes of the river and
flood division of the Weather Bureau
were caused by combination OF the
flood waters, high tide and especially
the high winds. While the flood waters
from the Upper Potomac and its tribu-
taries were expected to bring higher
levels to the river above Key Bridge,
Mr.. Hayes predicted there would prob
ably be little real damage to the lower
part of the river or the Washington
water front.
The difference between the upper
river and lower river was clearly shown
in figures indicating that at Sycamore
Island at g o'clock this morning the
river stood at 80 feet above low water,
whereas at the same hour at Key
Bridge 1t was only 6.2 feet above low
water. Last night at Key Bridge the
water stood at 78 feet above low water.
The Anacostia River. Rock Greek and
all streams in the city and vicinity were
swollen today from rain last night and
Rock Greek was reported still rising
rapidly.
Rise Is Due Tonight.
Little prospect of a quick recession
in the Potomac waters is in sight. &C.
cording to Mr. Hayes. because Of the
heavy rains in the Upper Potomac and
the Shenandoah and Monocacy and
other tributaries High tide Is ex-
pected to raise the level of the river at
iO:25 tonight and it will go down on
low tide, but it is not expected to re-
cede substantially for a few days.
Probably the heaviest damage was re-
ported from Anacostia Naval Air Sta
ton, where water rose during the night
to 6 feet in the hangers. Thirty air
planes were damaged and the engines
Of most of them probably will have to
be overhauled.
Two of Washington's radio stations
were put out of service for half an
hour last night when electric current
from the Potomac Electric Power Co.
failed in the downtown area, also tying
up motion picture theaters. Both
Continued on Page 2, Column 81