Evening star., 1944-09-15
Storm Causes
.S5O0,00O Loss
Al Ocean CITY
Hundreds Evacuated
From Maryland and
Virginia lowIunds

From Maryland and /
Virginia lowIonds
Coastal areas of Maryland and
Virginia were returning to normal
today In the wake of the Atlantic
hurricane which caused moderate
property damage and disrupted
highway and electric communica-
tions in the Norfolk area and East
ern Shore and forced evacuation of
several hundred persons from low
lying areas.
The hurricane center passed sew.
eral hundred miles east of WASH
ington, with only % inch Of rain
and q 30-mile wind recorded here
during the day. Three inches of
rain had fallen since rain began
early Tuesday.
While reports still were incom-
plete. late crops on Maryland's fer
tile Eastern Shore were damaged
or destroyed by torrential rains and
heavy winds.
$5o0.ooo Loss ut Ocean City.
Ocean City. Nd. appeared to be
hardest hit, with damage estimated
at $500.000. High seas tore out
large sections of the boardwalk,
ripped windows and doors of homes
and business places and blew away
a portion of the high school roof.
The only injury reported was a IA
year-old woman who broke leg in
a fall in the Ocean City Hotel.
State police reported between 100
and 200 persons were evacuated by
bus to Salisbury before the storm
struck. while perhaps a hundred
more left in private automobiles. A
foot OF water stood in the streets
at Ocean City at the height of the
storm, and several restaurants and
hotels operated by candlelight last
night until restoration of power IA
cilities.
Rumors that a tidal wave would
hit Ocean City at 10 pm. hastened
the flight of many families. It failed
to materialize, however.
At Salisbury a new ZOO foot ware
house was blown down and the city
was partially without electric power
as trees and limbs struck power
lines.
70-Mile Wind Lashes Norfolk.
A 70-mile wind lashed Norfolk
yesterday as the storm center passed
less than 100 miles away. At least
five persons were injured when five
l10-foot smokestacks were toppled
at the st. Julians Greek Naval Am
munition Depot. Five feet of water
covered some low-lying areas of the
city. Approximately 4 inches Of
rain fell there during the day.
Two persons were hospitalized and
a number Of others slightly injured
when 20 chimneys crashed through
the roof Of occupied homes in a
Federal housing development in
Norfolk County. A man was blown
from his boat and his leg broken
when he was thrown against a
wharf. Flying glass from broken
store windows injured a woman pc
destrian.
The Norfolk & Washington
Steamboat Co. steamer District of
Columbia Cancelled its trip from
Norfolk to Washington last night,
but planned to resume operations
tomorrow evening.
Radio Tovers TonnlAd
Police evacuated about so families
from their ocean-front homes at
Virginia Beach. High winds toppled
Navy and police radio towers there,
and a number Of homes were
damaged.
The Cape Henry Weather Bureau
reported a maximum wind of SO
miles an hour. At Norfolk the high
est sustained velocity was 10 with
gusts up to IS.
Norfolk was threatened for sew
eral hours with loss of its water sup
ply when pumps stopped because of
power failure. An unidentified
schooner was driven aground of
Little Greek, northeast of Norfolk,
and the Coast Guard rescued the
crew of Is men with breeches buoys.
Eastern Shore Roads Open.
The storm which struck parts of
New York threw train schedules be-
tween New York and WASHINGTON
of from 9 pm. and am, with
trains arriving three and four hours
late. Delivery Of morning New York
newspapers here had not begun at
noon.
The American Automobile Asso-
citation said Maryland State police
reported all roads open on the East
ern Shore and ferry service across
the Chesapeake, halted yesterday,
was expected to resume some time
today. Roads also were open to
Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the
hard-hit area Of Nags Head in
North Carolina, the AAA said.
The Weather Bureau forecast clear
and cooler weather tonight and
sunny and pleasant weather tomor-