Hurricane Carla Disaster Response (1961)
1961 · Short film · 21 min
Synopsis
This black-and-white film (main title missing) was made to highlight the quick response and efforts of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in repairing damage caused by Hurricane Carla in Texas and other Southern USA states. Hurricane Carla struck in early September 1961 after forming in the Caribbean Sea and was later categorized as a Category 4 storm. The hurricane caused the most damage in Texas which led to flooding and property damages but surprisingly relatively little loss of life. The film depicts the damage caused to the area and the work of Southwestern Bell employees and technicians from across the country as they journeyed to Texas to help in repair efforts, specifically in repairing downed telephone lines. Water crashing against shore, flooding, debris strewn about as narrator discusses Hurricane Carla (0:06). driving through flood waters, assessing property damage; Collapsed homes and commercial buildings (1:25). Long line of vehicles stuck in bumper to bumper traffic as they try to escape storm (1:42). Damaged buildings, debris after subsequent hurricanes (2:02). Rattlesnake hisses, curls up in field; Officer uses small pistol to shoot at snake (2:24). Black neighborhood gathers on sidewalk as part of perhaps funeral (2:41). Restoration efforts: United States Coast Guard truck, Salvation Army truck drives through town (3:05). Row of young female telephone operators sit in front of switchboard with head sets (4:35). Mid-1940s telephone company contractor…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 21 minutes
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Hurricane Carla
- Disaster Response
- 1961
- Southwestern Bell
- Informational Film
- Stock footage
- Periscope FIlm
