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Show NEW ROADS FLOODED Father of Waters Tears Away Levees, Menacing Menac-ing More Towns FLOOD CONDITIONS IMPROVED f- New Orleans, La., May 9. -f Moro sunshine and three days' absence of rain In the lower - Mississippi valley have served to bring about marked improve- 4- ment in flood conditions. 4- Reports receled today at army onglneers' headquarters from' both above and bolow New -f Orleann were optlmlsfiic. A few weak spots abovo New Or- leans are being strengthened - Tho task of providing for tho 4- flood refugees continues A 4 4- freight tralnload of clothing, 4 4 shoos, medlclno and supplies 4 4 left New Orleans today for the 4 4 refugee camps at Opelousas, 4 4 Rayne and other towns 4 4 4 44444444444444 Now Roads, La., May 9 By tearing tear-ing away 1,400 feet of the south end of tho Torras crevasse, a wall of water wa-ter from eight to ten feet deep and half a mile in width today is bearing down upon the already overflowed area of Point Coupee, St Landry and several other parishes Now Roads, heretofore considered practically safe from the Torras flood, is Tapidly becoming inundated Boats are being built and other preparations made by the townspeople for a hurried hur-ried exit. This section of the parish being thickly settled much rescue work will be required. Motorboats and skiffs are being concentrated here by the government representatives In sorap instances the officers have confiscated confiscat-ed boats and aro holding them In readiness. Farmers, driving their livestock in advance of the flood, arrived here early today from the country around Fordoche. They report himdreds of persons marooned In their homes in that yjcinity .who. aro in- urgent need of relief. Motorboats were unable to reach that district yesterday. Looters in skiffs are reported to be reaping a rich harvest in the Inundated Inun-dated country Many houses from which their occupants wGre hastlh driven have been broken open and robbed The size of the families among the refugees is surprising. One robust white mother had sixteen children strung out after her when she climbed down the steps of a relief train today. to-day. Mothers with eight, nine and ten children are numerous among the peoplo coming from Point Coupee parish. |
