Show PEOPLE ALONG OHIO I II I PREPARE TO FLEE I I Impending Tha Thaw Threatens II to Turn River Into Dangerous Flood j i iBy l I By United Press CLEVELAND 0 O. Feb 0 9 Ohio Ohio I river towns in West Vest Vir Virginia and Ohio tonight were taking precautions i against threatened floods from mountain moun- moun I I tain tamn rivers and streams which If the present thaw continues will send I sweeping down all tributaries huge I Ice gorges which have accumulated I I this winter between thaws Low LowI I floods at many points are considered I certain unless a cold spell s sets ets in A huge gorge let go late today at I Wheeling creek Wheeling g. W. W Va j I sweeping wharf boats from moorings and plunged into the Ohio river crashing against a heavy steel bridge where it snapped steel girders The Ohio river there was on a a rampage tonight Fear was expressed that if the gorge halts at Moundsville several several several sev sev- eral miles mills below here a flood will result The water was backing at Wheeling creek tonight and residents were prepared to flee if the water rises much higher It rose four tour feet I in one hour today With warn warm rain falling the river was rising lising at the I rate of more than in Inch an hour hourat at Hunt Huntington W. W Va tonight A Ai i brief freeze will relieve the situation I Otherwise floods will result I At Cincinnati the danger mark is isi j i reported past There has been no trouble at Dayton where several I years rears ago a disastrous flood occurred I A heavy rainfall has swelled the I Maumee l river rive at Toledo At Kenton the Scioto river was reported to be I rising rapidly |