WAVES RIPPING THROUGH STREETS.




Initials PBS//N-TELE/WH/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A VIOLENT WINDSTORM PUSHED LAKE ERIE OVER A 100-MILE (161 KM) STRETCH OF MICHIGAN AND OHIO LOWLANDS YESTERDAY, FLOODING THOUSANDS OF HOMES.

THE WIND WHIPPED UP WAVES TWELVE FEET (THREE AND HALF METRES) HIGH ALONG THE FORTY MILE (64 KM) SHORELINE OF THE LAKE.

CIVIL DEFENCE OFFICIALS REQUESTED NATIONAL GUARD ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT LOOTING.

AN ESTIMATED FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES IN MICHIGAN. SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE LIVING IN OHIO AND ON THE CANADIAN SHORELINE OPPOSITE WERE ALSO FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR HOUSES.

THE NORMALLY SHALLOW WATERS OF LAKE ERIE BROKE DOWN FOUR RETAINING WALLS, PUSHED DOWN A NUMBER OF HOUSES, AND TORE DOWN TREES AND JETTIES.

NO ONE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN INJURED IN THE FLOODING. THE STORM WAS THE WORST IN THE AREA FOR 14 YEARS.

IT BROUGHT AN ITEM OF IRONICAL HUMOUR. AT A TIME WHEN THE WEATHER BUREAU WAS ISSUING A CHOPPY WATERS WARNING FOR SMALL CRAFT ON THE LAKE, TEN FEET HIGH WAVES WERE CRASHING OVER THE SHORELINE.