The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-01

Onondaga Creek.
 The New York district of the U. S. Coast Guard was sending motor boats to stricken areas or to points where emergencies were anticipated Fifty Coast Guards were assigned to Wilkes Barre to man the motor boats there if necessary.
 Wilkes Barre Flooded
 Wilkes-Barre, Penn., April 1-(UP) %-The Susquehanan river flood swept today toward the levels of 1936's disastrous inundation.
 Water began swirling today into the main business district of Wilkes Barre, city of 86,6oO and evacua- tion was started immediately. In some sections the water was foot higher than it was in 1886.
 The river, swollen by spring rains and rapidly melting snow rapidly was approaching the high water mark it reached four years ago It I.ad receded earlier today, but began rising again after several dykes broken.
 P Nine deaths as a result of the flood was reported throughout the Wyoming valley, rich anthracite coal mining region. More than 10000 persons fled their homes and 21,5OO inhabitants of Kingston in the heart of the flood area, were ordered to prepare for evacuation. A temper ary section of a dike along Narrows road, near Kingston, gave way and put the territory under six feet of water.
 Added to the flood was the men ace of fire, threatened when gaso- line began leaking from a storage tank in the western edge of Wilkes Barre and spread rapidly. Officials here ordered mo smoking signs placed in strategic areas for fear a carelessly discarded match, cigar or ,cigaret might touch off a major fire
 River observers said the Sus- quehanna's crest apparently had not been reached and declined to predict when it would reach top level. s Schools throughout the area were closed, many of the buildings be- ing used to house those who fled their homes. Business was nearly at a standstill.
 The Lehigh, Delaware, Schuylkill and Juniata rivers still were rising.
 Sections of Wilkes-Barre, King Ston, Plymouth, Edwardsville, For tyfort. Pringle, Scranton, Sayre, Williamsport, Sunbury, Harrisburg and other communities were inun- dated.
 In Plymouth the flood waters were within two blocks of the bus iness district and one block from the home of Gov. Arthur H. James, who cancelled a speaking tour of the state to go back to Harrisburg and direct relief work.
 Susquehanna Rises
 Philadelphia, April 1-(UP)-The Susquehar.;la river rose to 31.25 feet today, only two feet below the high of the disastrous 1886 inun- .dation, and a general evacuation has begun from the lowland areas of it's valley as deaths rose to nine.
 The flood mounted rapidly to un- expected heights and it was feared that if 1t was not checked soon Il would rise higher than 33.3 feet record of four years ago,
 ; Two additional deaths in the sSusquehanna Valley, one from drowning and one from shock, raised the death toll to nine. There was a possibility that two others were lost n a boat accident, dur ing removal fo refugees, but this was unconfirmed.
 r No Fear In Conn.
 ' New Milford, Conn, April l - stUP)-A quick thaw, caused by the IWarm temperature Sunday, brought acute flood conditions today to sec- etions of the Housatonic river valley.
 The highway between New Mill ford and Gaylordsville was in- undated and state police rerouted ,traffic. LoWlands in and around New Milford were under water and many residents prepared to move in event an ice jam gave way. Sev- sera) industrial plants moved their equipment safety. The water was within foot and one-half of the 1888 level, 1hich flooded areas for miles.
 In the lower valley, merchants were warneu to be prepared for a sudden rise in the river and to safeguard their stock.
 High water prevailed at Kent but caused no serious inconvenience.
 The Connecticut river valley was not threatened. The water at Hart ford barely exceeded feet. Flood stage is Is feet. There was a normal runoff of water, the weather bureau. Eepotted. The road between Sims bury and Tariffville, however. was core<ed with several inches of wa ter, and state police advised use of other highways.