The Washington times., 1936-03-21
CITY DIGS OUT
FROM FLOOD
RAVAGES
Heat, Light and Water
Short, But Other
Supplies Plenty

day as the city struggled TO
emerge from the chaos wrought
by the worst flood in its history,
with toll of known dead and
property damage estimated at
$25,000,O00.
Red Cross and other relief off,
cialS maSSed their forces immedi-
ately to extend additional care
and supplies to the $4,000 home
less and destitute.
The snow set in about 3 a. m.
today on the heels of rapid
drop in temperature.
Sub-Freezing Temperature
Within six hours five inches of
wet snow lay over the city and
immediate vicinity, slowing high
way and street traffic which was
just reverting to normal.
The thermometer in Pittsburgh
dropped to 30 and at the county
airport, about IL miles from the
city, it stood a point lower.
Early weather bureau forecasts
were that the fall would end soon.
Despite this new threat to rapid
rehabilitation, Red Cross head
quarters announced its forces were
prepared to cope with it, declaring:
'We have plenty Of supplies
for everyone, including food,
clothing and bedding. We have
arranged adequate shelter for all
the homeless in the immediate
vicinity and despite this sudden
change we do not believe there
will be any additional wide
spread suffering"
LACK HEAT, LIGHT, WATER
The thousands gathered in refu-
gee concentration points, were,
however. suffering from lack of
heat. light and sanitation facilities.
Over most of the city pretty
much the same conditions pre-
vailed. In residential areas, many
homes had some heat, but no elec-
trio light or water. In the down
town section, where hotels were
packed and hundreds are still
utilizing offices as markeshitt
quarters, there was neither water,
heat, nor light.
Health officials announced re-
ceipt of 100000 doses of typhoid
antitoxin from the State Depart
ment of Health.
Succor and sustenance came
for the first time today to
1000 terror-stricken residents Of
the ruined West End who for four
days we're virtually cut off from
the world about them.
An almost incredible tale of suf-
fering marked by thrilling rescues
in utter blackness was told by
Police Inspector Jerry DeaSy as
communications were reestablished
with the "fogotten CITY," COM
munity left to its own devices
while floods ragged over Pitts
burgh.
Refuge in Churches
Angry waters flooded its 1000
homes, many of them completely.
Only two buildings, two Catholic
churches, escaped the destruction.
They were st. Martins Church
and the Church of the Guardian
Angel, and in these unlighted and
unheated structures huddled the
refugees awaiting outside help
which never came.
Through the cold nights, West
End volunteers and policemen
risked their lives on make-shift
RATS and frail skiffs battling the
churning waters to rescue more
than 100 families who were trap
ped. Inspector DeaSy said:
"AH night long we could hear
people screaming. We got one
man out a third story window
after he had been there three
days."
Among those snatched from
death in the only two rowboats
available were IA nuns from st.
James Convent.
Battle In Dark
Rescuers battled in pitch dark
except for one mig ght when
river boat turned it's searchlight
on the scene of devastation for a
few fleeting hours. Inspector
Deasy continued:
"The current spun the skiffs
like balls. Once it dashed one
against a retaining wall. We
got one man out by dropping a
rope from a bridge.
"There wasn't a drop of milk
mere until last night when
Squire A. F. Keith and George
Gibson brought in $50 gallons
they collected from farmers.
"We need food, medicine,
clothing and doctors. 1t seems
as If the world doesn't know
the West End exists. The Red
Cross is trying hard to help
u.s."
Battered West End residents
were given their first food in
four days last night when Dor
mont volunteer firemen heard of
their plight and sent a truck
load collected in the community.
Blankets and mattresses were
sent for the refugees fuddled on
the bare boards of the church
floors.
One woman died of pneumonia.
Every street was under 81 feet
of water. Scores of children were
among the sufferers, some Of
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