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The
Telegraph of
the 11th informs
us that the most terrific storm ever experienced at that place
commenced on
Sunday night the 8th inst. The wind during the day before varied from
W. to N.
W., shifting back and forward, and during the storm continued to change
from
point to point, differing from the usual equinoxial gale, which
commences in
the E. and N. E. and works his way south. The quantity of water that
fell in 30
hours amounted to 25 inches. The greatest quantity heretofore given by
the same
record, kept for 18 years, was 8 inches. “Another
distinguished
characteristic observable between this and the usual autumnal, and all
other of
our accustomed storms, was that no other extraordinary effect was
produced on
the tides, which rose no higher than ordinary full spring tides. The
force and
long continuance of preliminary Easterly winds—bringing into
the
Gulf, the
waters of the Atlantic, with their superincumbent masses and currants,
were
wanting to produce the overwhelming tides sometimes experienced in
Equinoxial
storms.” “The
effects of such a fall of
water in so short a period on the low-flat grounds extending along the
Gulf
Coast, can easily be comprehended, The masses flowing in from the
adjacent
higher regions, added to such an accumulated quantity, in their own
locations,
can only result in a general inundation of such lands, and prove
destructive to
crops, whether of Cotton, Sugar, or other vegetable growth.” The Telegraphs
continues: “The
overwhelming and irresistible
force of such a deluge swept away the embankments in some places, and
in others
seriously impaired them. Our country roads are submerged, and in short,
so far
as our connections with the main land are concerned, we are “non est cunalibus.”
“There is but little present consolation in the fact (yet it gives comfort in the future) that there is no record or knowledge of such a lamentable and disastrous storm. Source:
Floridian and Journal: 8-18-1860
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