DEATH LIST MAY GROW AS RUSH OF WATER RECEDES.

Injured Disappear When Flimsy Home Crumbles

WHOLE FAMILIES BECOME VICTIMS

When 16 Feet Water Rushes Over Small Town

ELBA, Ala., Mar 15.-There is a growing death list here in way of flood victims that is startling, belief now is entertained that at least 100 and probably more persons lost their lives

There are partially-disclosed tragedies that were not suspected.

May persons who were swept away with the toppling over of flimsy houses, were either drowned or killed otherwise.

Hundreds have been reported as injured, and numerous persons have not been heard from. National guardsmen are in charge.

Turbulent waters swept away many homes and whereabouts of some entire families is yet unknown. Those injured had no succor, since they were literally swept to parts unknown, and the drowned list has been increasing with startling reality and rapidity.

ELBA, Ala., March 15.-One hundred persons lost their lives in the flood which has devastated this town in southern Alabama, it was estimated here tonight.

Fifteen thousand are marooned in the flood zone, it is believed, with the probability that many of them will not be rescued for forty-eight hours.

Property loss is expected to approximate $10,000,000. The flood waters show little sign of abating. A score of airplanes were flying over the sunken region late this evening, endeavoring to tabulate the extent of the disaster.

Only three of the small boats, manned by national guardsmen, have been able to reach Elba, the county seat of Coffee county. Most of the boats were turned back a mile and a half from town because of the swift waters. Hastily built boats and rafts were unable to withstand the onslaught of the swift current.

Rescue parties have established a base six miles from town and tonight there arrived at this base, by airplane from Montgomery, cots, blankets, food and medicine.

Most of the damage was caused when Pea river went on a rampage Thursday afternoon. More than two hundred children were marooned in a school house, but were rescued before the river reached the present crest.

The citizens were not prepared for a catastrophe, for the first reports said that the water would not go over the two foot stage in town. However, the Pea river dam broke, and the entire section was flooded.

The last message by wire sent from this town was by a telephone girl who reported that the water was flowing over her ankles on the second floor of the telephone building. Her message, sent to all who would hear was:

"Terrible, terrible, get us help quick."

This message was received in Montgomery and rescue parties were at once sent to the scene.

It was reported here tonight that two truckloads of drugs had been sent here from Montgomery, but because the roads are impassable, it is not held likely that they will reach here for several days.

Airplanes which circled over this city were unable to give much assistance, although some of them dropped food and clothing. Most of the inhabitants have been ousted from their homes by the flood. Many are isolated on the tops of their houses, in trees and the more fortunate ones-those who own houses of three or more stories-in attics.

Waters which descended on Elba, Ala., were falling tonight and it is believed that the worst of the flood is over. It is reported that a dam in Pea river broke and started the deluge, putting some business districts under five feet of water, towns reporting this were Elba and Flomaton, Ala.

Just how many more than 100 or how many less, may have lost their lives in Elba cannot be determined tonight. Several bodies have been found floating near the city, but none have been identified.

The Morning Call, Laurel, MS 16 Mar 1929