Evening star., 1951-07-14
Flood Menaces
7 New Districts
In kansasCity
Big Oil Fire Adds
To Devastation in
Metropolitan Area
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, July 14.-Para-
lying flood waters tightened their
grip on the Kansas City metropol-
itan area of 100000 persons today
and threatened new destruction
A state of emergency was pro-
claimed.
| The Nation sent help from
coast-to-coast for the stricken
twin cities of Kansas City. Mo,
and Kansas City. Kans.. and
the eastern half of the State of
Kansas.
Flooded fuel tanks touched off
fires that added to the devasta-
Ition.
Three major industrial districts
in the Kansas City area were in
undated.
Two Districts Threatened.
The surging waters of the Mis-
lsouri and Kansas Rivers threat
Iened two other heavily industrial
lied sections-North Kansas City
and Fairfax. Both districts were
Evacuated.
Army engineers said seepage
and back water was entering the
2,000-acre Fairfax district, but
it looked as if the main barriers
would hold.
The report came as the Missouri
River reached a crest of SO feet,
l foot above the 1903 high read
ing.
bikes protecting North Kansas
City also were reported holding.
However, the Municipal Airport,
across the Missouri from that
streams junction with the Kansas
River. had been evacuated after
a washout $50 feet long in a pro-
tecting dixie.
Pumping Station Safe.
Apparently safe was the north
east industrial district, site of the
remaining pumping station sup
plying the city with water.
All non-essential businesses not
in the flooded areas were ordered
to close.
Floods over Kansas and Mis-
ISouri during the last week have
caused at least Is deaths. Many
persons were missing but because
of the thousands of refugees close
checks were impossible.
Maj. Gen. Lewis Pick, chief of
Army Engineers, who made a hur-
ried trip here from Washington,
told reporters damage in Kansas
may run over $500 million.
"One of the reasons I am here, -
Ihe said, sis that President Tru-
man asked me to come to see
what can be done to restore nor
NAL conditions.
Water Conservation Ordered.
City officials ordered stringent
Safeguards to conserve the water
supply and to clear disaster areas
for rescue work. Highway and
rail traffic halted.
Because of flood waters, the
load for furnishing water to
Kansas City. Mo-, fell on a single
station which is capable of pump
ling only one-third of the normal
city requirements.
The city garbage disposal unit
was under water and officials were
seeking new means of disposal.
The low water pressure in city
mains brought serious fire prob
lens and extra precautions were
being taken to safeguard against
fires.
Nine Firemen Hurt.
Firemen fought fuel tank
farm fire throughout the night in
a flooded two-block area. It was
partially controlled today. The
nre began yesterday.
Nine f1remen were injured,
seven buildings were destroyed
and two others damaged.
About 20 tanks containing a
total of 100000 gallons of gaso-
line, diesel oil and naphtha
Exploded at intervals.
The firemen struggled in
shoulder-deep water, in boats and
from roof tanks to keep the
flames from two other nearby
tank farms.
The fire was touched off by a
floating 6,000-gallon oil tank that
struck an electric power line.
Many of those forced to flee
from their homes spent the night
(See FLOOD, Page A-3)