Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1898 — SOUTH ATLANTIC CYCLONE. [ARTICLE]

SOUTH ATLANTIC CYCLONE.

Repetition of ttav Great Hurricane and Tidal Wave of 1993. Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane and floods which swept the Atlantic coast Sunday say the property damage will reach into the millions, while the loss of life cannot be estimated, althongh it is known to be great. It was the worst flood since the sea islands were swept over, covering an area of seventy miles. It is now estimated that 1,000 houses and stores have been swept away. It is feared that the city of Darien has been swept out of existence. Ihirien was a city of about 7.000 inhabitants, being situated on one of the smaller islands. The land is low and marshy, being utilized exclusively for rice growing. It is the stopping place for all boats running between Savannah and Brunswick, but has no telegraphic communication. It was in the direct line of the flood, and is thought to be completely inundated. ' Reports brought to Macon, Ga., by the Sostbern Paeifie train state that the damage done by the flood is enormous, and that hundreds of lives were lost, being swept into the ocean, beyond any chance of even being saved. Whole families perished, their homes being entirely submerged in water, and the inhabitants being unaccounted for. In Jacksonville. Fla., the rainfall during twentj-fonr hours was 3.57 inches, and was sufficient to swell the St. John's river to such an extent that many houses within seventy-five feet from shore were flooded. The camps presented a deplorable picture. Tents were flat on the ground, while every man within camp radius was wet through and through. The Third division hopsital was blown down and the sick were drenched. : The loss caused by the flood at Fernandina. Fla., is estimated at $500,000. As yet only three people are reported dead, but a farther search will undoubtedly swell the list. Almost every dock on the water front has been washed away, with oil that was piled on them. Advices from different parts in South Carolina shows that the rice crops have been injured from 35 to 50 per cent by the floods. Breaks in the bank 3 occurred on the Pou-Pou, Ashpoo and Combahee rivers. and these sections have suffered severely.