The Week Of the 1972 Flood, In The Central Susquehanna Valley
What It Looked Like Day By Day In Our Local Towns
June 19-25, 1972
Photos & Stories By Town:
Danville Lewisburg Milton Montandon Montgomery
Muncy Sunbury Watsontown/White Deer/Dewart Williamsport
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It became a tropical storm, sending rains that simply would not stop. In one night, First, the local creeks and streams flooded, causing massive damages. Then, the Susquehanna River crested 15 feet above flood stage, devastating small towns all along the rivers banks.
Nineteen inches of rain fell in five days time. And no one was expecting it.
Time Line:
Monday June 19th, 1972
"Tired of the rain? You ain't seen nothing yet."
Hurricane Agnes Lands In Florida
On June 19th 1972, Hurricane Agnes made landfall in Florida.
Our local newspapers mentioned it, but just as national news, or a reference that it would likely cause more rain showers here in Pennsylvania.
No one was raising any alarm in Pennsylvania, although they were starting to complain about the rain. There had already been "torrential downpours" on Sunday the 18th, and more rain was expected at least through Weekday of that week.
Florida had been in the middle of a drought, and the article mentioned that the four inches of downpour were welcome in the central Florida area.
On page two of the Daily Item there's an article from the National Weather Service in Harrisburg that reads "Tired of the rain? You ain't seen nothing yet."
It went on to say that Sundays downpour was likely to continue through Wednesday, and that Hurricane Agnes was expected to "exert her influence, bringing - you guesses it - more showers."
The report ended with "an extended outlook for Wednesday calls for some effects of Hurricane Agnes - more showers - with clearing late Thursday, and possible fair weather Friday."
"The Susquehanna River at Sunbury this morning was at 10 feet and falling, and should be at 9.7 tomorrow"
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Tuesday, June 20, 1972
River at 10 feet and falling
"A high pressure system building in the midwest may bring some clearing late Thursday. But that's no guarantee"
In the weather report from Harrisburg, on page two of the Daily Item, it again mentioned that Agnes would bring more rain, but it was expected to clear up by Thursday. It weather report included that the river at Sunbury was at 10 feet, "and falling" and was expected to be at 9.7 feet on Wednesday.
Wednesday June 22, 1972
The First Day Of Spring
A High Pressure Storm In The Midwest May Clear Up The Rain On Thursday
Wednesday June 21 was the first day of spring in 1972. Most of the front page of the Daily Item was consumed by reports on an abortion bill in congress that week. It also reported on a prominent attorney from Williamsport, Daniel Knittle, and his passenger Beverly Kuhns pulled out from the parking lot of Jean & Neds restaurant in Montgomery, right into the path of an oncoming tractor trailer truck. Both were killed.
On page two, in the daily weather report from Harrisburg, the prediction was for rain, heavy at times, Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. Flash flood watches were in effect, as those rains were expected to cause the river to rise rapidly. The river was at 9.66 feet and falling.
"The weatherman says we may thank Hurricane Agnes for giving us the heavy rain, but holds out hope that a high pressure system building in the midwest may bring some clearing late Thursday." The article concluded by quoting the weatherman, "But that's no guarantee"
There was absolutely nothing to make citizens worry, or prepare, for what was to come. But by 3:30am on Thursday morning, alarms would be sounding everywhere. Unfortunately, by then, it was a little late.
Thursday June 22, 1972
Flash Flooding Wrecks Havoc, and Takes Lives,
As The Local Creeks Overflow Their Banks
By the time the Daily Item went to press on Thursday June 1972, six people had died. As much as 10 inches of rain had fallen in 12 hours time, in some areas. The river was high, but it was the creeks that were causing all the damage. Every local creek was well over it's banks, rushing in torrents down streets, and through homes.
Several local bridges were washed out, and a spokesman told reporters, " there are so many that I don't know where they are all at at this time."
The Milton station for the state police was surrounded with water, and PP&L was struggling to get to the major problems as quickly as possible, warning against evacuating homes without cutting the power. "Be careful when doing so."
Danville
.
Flood alarms were initiated at 4am, as the worst flooding the community had seen since 1936, hit the area. All major routes in and out of Danville were blocked by 7am.
In addition to being isolated from other towns, parts of Danville were isolated inside of Danville.
- First Ward was cut off by waters that inundated most of the second ward area.
- Sechler Run overflowers and covered all the north-south streets from Railroad to Continental blvd.
- Only the largest of trucks could travel through the area between Bloom and Mahoming street.
- Rt 11 washed out, and the water was "moving in all directions on the DL&W tracks"
A patient on Honeymoon street was transported by National Guard truck to Geisinger.
In Riverside, the family of Richard Cook was marooned by high waters a Klines Grove. When the firemen responded to the call, they reported that the roar of the water was so high they could not hear each other at a distance of 20 feet, even when shouting at the tops of their voices.
Danville High School, June 1972
The eastern area of the town was the most effected, including the Danville High School, second ward, Kennedy Van Saun territory, and Mill street. According to "veteran borough river observer" Mrs Rebecca Bryan, the river measured 12.36 feet at 7am, and she had not received any specific flood warnings from Harrisburg. She reported that flood stage was 21 feet.
WPGMSs transmitting station, near Sunnybrook Park, was reportedly under 5 feet of water. The station was attempting to set up an emergency generator so they could keep the people informed.
Boats were summoned early Thursday morning to evacuate residents of the Thomas Trailer Court. Several hundred families had been moved out of their homes, with Danville Jr High, St Josephs School and the United Church of Christ on Bloom street being used as shelters.
One man was missing from the Thomas trailer court.
Harrisburg
12 people had died, and 9 were missing, as of Thursday night.
Herndon
A mudslide around 7 a.m. on June 22 sent thousands of tons of rock and sand downhill, burying Route 147, destroying five buildings, and claiming one life. The mudslide killed Mrs John Oxenford, when it hit her home.
In Lewisburg, "Tiny Bull Run Becomes A Monster"
Heavy flooding in union county rendered most of the roads impassible.
Residents along Bull run were evacuated early Thursday morning, by boat.
Several refused to leave their homes.
Sixth street became a torrent as the stream overflowed its banks.
Travel from Lewisburg to Sunbury was possible, although there was water over the road in Winfield
There as little warning about the flooding at Bull Run.
"We didn't have any warning from the police or fire department" said Rick Libby. "We went out on a neighbors boat, and that was before they started recuing people by police boat"
Libbys home on 6th street was under three feet of water in his living room by early thursday morning. Sixth street runs parallel to Bull Run Creek, and it took the brunt of Thursdays flooding, turning the street into a wildly flowing river.
It was on this day, before the worst of the flood even arrived, that Gordon Hufnagle drowned on Bull Run in Lewisburg. Hufnagle was the safety director for Lewisburg, and he was in the process of rescuing Mr & Mrs Jospeh Murphy of S. Sixth street, when their boat capsized near St Catherine St. Police Chief Donald Heiter saw Mrs Murphy in the water, and and Hufnagle hanging on to the boat, when a current caught the boat and whipped it into the railroad underpass. Mr Murphy was found hanging to a tree limb in the area of south 6th street. He was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released, but later died at the home of his son. (That's how Hufnagle Park got it's name)
In addition, Mrs William E. Minium of St Anthony st was trapped in her basement when the cellar walls collapsed. She was still missing at press time. A diver was attempting to reach her.
Milton
All exits from the borough of Milton, with the exception of the Milton bypass, were flooded and all vehicular traffic, except emergency service, was banned. Anyone caught driving on the streets was to be arrested. People were also warned to stay away from the river banks on South Front Street, where a "crack has developed near the Dairy Queen, causing a dangerous situation."
The Milton Middle school on Turbot Avenue was being used as a shelter for displaced families, and also as the emergency headquarters for the Red Cross.
The road in front of Clinger Lumber had a foot of water, Ridge Avenue, Shakespeare Avenue, and Turbot Avenue were completely flooded, and Brown Avenue Park was under several feet of water.
All industries in Milton were closed, except for maintenance personnel.
On page 6 of the Daily Item, the Milton Chapter of the Red Cross reported that donations for the South Dakota flood victims had reached $375, from containers placed at borough businesses. The goal of $414 had not yet been reached, but donations were still being accepted.
Montgomery
The first rescue was at the bottom of School House Road, and shortly after that a large volume of water came down Black Hole Creek and destroyed much of Hulsizers Chevrolet. The water came over their counters and broke the plate glass windows in the showroom.
The municipal water system located on Black Hole Creek on North Main Street was destroyed. The red barn is still standing on the site, but the borough sewer system was destroyed by the storm.
Albert "Baldy" Shick died while on duty as a fire policeman with the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department. He was directing traffic at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Thomas Avenue as the water was rising.
Northumberland
In Northumberland, an emergency headquarters was established at the Hook and Ladder Fire Hall on 5th street.
Two homes in Point twp were damaged when cellar walls gave way.
"the soft soil resembled quicksand after nearly 24 hours of continuous rain"
The William Moyer family at Lithia Springs had to be rescued by boat when Johnson's Run overflowed and surrounded the dwelling.
Most homes still had power and telephone, although about 20 families on 8th street were without electrical service.
On page 5, The Daily Item reported that "it will be a lively time in the old town this week-end, with activities galore in support of the area bicentennial. But not all will be in Northumberland, as the first motorcade is planned for Friday night, going to the communities of Selinsgrove, Lewisburg, and Milton" Although there were bicentennial activities all summer, the big celebration was scheduled for early July.
Shamokin Dam
In Shamokin Dam, a waterfall appeared near Treeland Nursery. The small creek flowing along the highway was normally not even noticeable, but turned into a "raging waterfall" on the southern side of the nursery. The nursery was flooded.
In Klinesgrove, the river washed away a railroad bridge, with a 63 car Penn Central Freight train on it. The two men in the cab of the locomotive were trapped for 45 minutes before making their way out the window and climbing to the ledge of the bridge, where they could make their way to shore. Two other men were in the back of the train, but as that part of the train was not yet on the bridge, they were never in any danger.
In Sunbury, a state of emergency was declared by the mayor, as more than 200 people had been working on flood prevention measures since 3am.
Memorial acres had flooded and the Sunbury Animal Hospital on 61 had been destroyed. (The animals were evacuated by row boat)
Bars were directed to close, along with all other non essential stores, and no traffic was to be on the streets, but drug stores could remain open.
Shikellamy Junior High School was being used for those evacuated from their homes.
Watsontown
Along the White Deer Pike there was also heavy flooding, those evacuated were being housed in the New Columbia Fire Hall.
In Watsontown's Park Manor, along canal street from the parth north to third street along woodland avenue and north elm and main streets, and in the brookside and muffly trailer courts, were all forced to evacuate. Approximately 50 people were rescued from their homes by volunteers, and mire than 200 residents were helped to move out of the reach of rising water.
Fire Chief Samuel Klapp reported 8 fire alarms in the town, but all were minor in nature.
Those evacuated were staying at the fire hall, the united Methodist church, or the homes of friends and relatives.
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The River Flood Stage Forecast
As Of Thursday June 22, 1972
In the weather report from Harrisburg, the river was expected to crest at 24.5 feet by noon on Friday. At 7am on Thursday, it was 10 inches lower, at 15.45 feet.
"The predicted rate is one foot higher than the 1972 highest level so far. The river would go over the dikes at 32 feet" Flood warnings remained in effect, with 100% precipitation expected that day.
The Susquehanna river "should reach flood stage in the Milton, Danville, and Sunbury areas"
The river was expected to crest at 24, to 24.5, feet by 1pm on Friday, in Sunbury.
"Danville residents may be fortunate, as predictions call for the river to crest at 19 feet this evening, and the flood stage for the Montour Community is 20 feet"
Milton was expected to suffer the worst, with the river expected to crest at 25 or 26 feet at 6pm Thursday evening. That would put the river 6 to 7 feet above the 19 foot flood stage for that town. At 10am on Thursday, the river was at 19.75 feet in Milton.
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Friday June 23 1972
Don't Panic.
Well, At Least Not In Sunbury, Where There Is A Flood Wall.
The Sunbury Daily Item
June 23 1972
Danville
On Friday Danville as still at the mercy of it's river and swollen streams
More than 11.5 inches of rain was measured between 2pm Wednesday and 10pm Thursday.
Roads in and out of the community were closed. Fourth ward was barely touched, but second warders began moving out on Thursday. Water was shut off for the community on Friday, and residents were asked to make whatever water they had last as long as possible.
Dewart
The Village of Dewart escaped major damage, with most of the problems being caused by surface water.
An employee at Sterners store said that the nearby covered bridge on one of the nearby creeks had been lost to the flood waters.
Flood waters isolated some farms for a few days, but no major property damage was recorded. Water was knee deep on main street, and ran between houses like a stream. Many had flooded basements.
DuBois
A hole opened in the Dubois Dam, holing back the reservoir, and water gushed into the downtown area. "Things are getting worse by the moment. The water keeps coming" said City Councilmen Robert Fulton.
Lewisburg
Downtown Lewisburg Is An Island, Residents Are Reportedly Calm
"Citizens here remain calm as the island that is downtown Lewisburg decreases in size from the flood waters from the Susquehanna River, Buffalo Creek and Bull Run.
A strip of land from 5th to 2nd streets, extending one to two blocks to the south was the only place available to police and fire crews, as the entire downtown area was flooded.
The boroughs fire house became inoperative early Friday evening. The fire trucks were removed until the station dried out.
There were no critical food or drug shortages, and no incidents of violence or looting.
The borough continued to have electricity.
On Thursday a woman had lockers herself in her home on 6th street and refused to leave. She told them "I made it through the flood of 36 and I'll make it through this one"
On Friday afternoon, fireman rescued that woman, and her son, from the roof of their home.
The 16th st area near Moore Business forms was covered with gas and oil and was being evacuated. The fire department, as well as locals with boats, were helping to remove people living in that area.
The crest at Lewisburg was reached early Friday morning, but no total height was yet available.
The National Guard arrived on Thursday, with their all terrain troop carrier, to help with rescue operations in Lewisburg.
Mifflinburg
"We were really lucky" reported the borough manager.
Buffalo Creek, at the north end of the borough, overflowers it's bank by 7 or 8 feet and caused some damage to a few homes in teh area.
"We had damage to homes with cellars caving in, but nothing of a major nature"
A few streets had buckled, and manholes were damaged. The sewer system was being inspected for damages. But it was far less than any of their neighboring towns were dealing with.
Middleburg
The high water mark of the 1936 flood was exceeded by 6 inches
Montandon
Montandon was virtually isolated.
Several trailer courts near the river were almost completely wiped out.
Montandon Elementary school served as a shelter for approximately 500 people forced from their homes.
Sheets Market had been flooded out, but much of the food had been moved to a tractor trailer and moved to the Montandon school where locals were able to obtain them.
Northumberland
All residents are encouraged to boil their water. All of the low lying lands were under water. "They have an adequate supply of food and water, but for how long they did not know"
Nevin Brungard had his helicopter at the football stadium and was making emergency flights
100 people took refuge at the St John Lutheran, and Christ United Methodist churches. Many were from Island Park, or were railroaders or tourists who could not get out of town.
Selinsgrove
The water was still rising in Selinsgrove, and old timers were predicting it would exceed the 1936 flood levels. The entire Island of Que was inundated with water, but some residents were still in their homes, refusing to leave.
Two US Army helicopters were stationed at the Selinsgrove State School and Hospital. Five national guardsman from Bloomsburg, Lewisburg, and Sunbury were stationed in Selinsgrove, along with a National Guard Truck, to help with evacuations.
When asked if they only had the one truck, one of the men responded "Yes, that is all we could spare at this time."
Large lakes formed on both sides of 11 & 15 north of Harrisburg.
Several boats capsized during rescues, but no one was lost.
Many of the Selinsgrove residents spent the night at Susquehanna University or the Hotel Governor Snyder, with some taking refuge in the Selinsgrove High SChool.
Sunbury
The hospital was filled to capacity, "overcrowded with all the beds being used", and there was a concern was for water for the patients and staff.
Approximately 15 people had been admitted in the past 24 hours, in addition to all of the Hollie Peace Nursing Home Residents who had been moved there early Thursday.
Bell telephone officials requested that phone usage be for emergency purposes only.
57 National Guardsmen had arrived in Sunbury, where they patrolled to help with evacuations, sand bagging operations, and prevent possible looting.
More than 1,000 people were taking refuge in the three public schools situated on high ground. (Beck, Drumheller, and the Jr High)Three meals a day were being served at the schools. Weis Markets, Foodcraft, and Baslicks were providing the food.
Trevorton
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damange had occured in Trevorton by Friday, as waters entered basements and into the first floor of many homes.
Walls of homes were collapsing, and homes were being moved off their foundations, throughout the hills, and even on Market Street.
One life long resident said he can't remember anything like it, not even when Zerbe Run overflowed in 1936.
Saturday June 24, 1972
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER CRESTS AT RECORD LEVELS
"The rampaging waters of the Susquehanna River slammed through thousands of square miles of Pennsylvania Heartland today, with record breaking crests that spread destruction through several major cities. "
At least 31 people had been killed in Pennsylvania, and more than 80,000 forced from their homes, in the most widespread flooding in the states history.
The worst was thought to be over however, for those in the southeastern and western parts of the state.
River Levels
By noon on Friday, the river had crested in Sunbury. In places, water lapped over the dike, but most of the river was contained behind the flood wall that had been completed in Sunbury in 1946.The last river stage was recorded at 34 feet, at 6am. Additional readings were not made, because the river gauges were no longer operable.
In Williamsport 34.75 at 10:30pm Friday
In Milton 37.5 and 38 feet at 4:30 Am Saturday (The river crested at 34.6 in 1936)
In Danville 31.34 feet at 11pm Friday, expected to crest at 35 feet at noon on Saturday
(the river crested at 28 feet in 1936)
Three Dead In Northumberland County
As of Saturday morning, 3 people had died in Northumberland County.
Thursday Mrs Oenrider died in the mudslide in Hernson.
On Friday Paul Benick, 29, from Paxinos died when his brakes failed and his car became submerged in Shamokin Creek. Benick attempted to open his car door, but the pressure from the water close the door, catching his foot inside as he was dragged under the water.
And at Knoebels near Elysburg, Bryan Raker downed will assisting in rescue operations there.
Milton
Throughought the flood, Milton had been tied together by continuous broadcasts from the local radio station. Power was out in many sections, and telephone lines were jammed. People could no longer receive vital information about evacuations, and many were clinging to roofs and porches, awaiting rescue on Saturday morning.
A propane gas tank at the american Car and Foundry had broken, and residents were being evacuated from the areas adjacent.
Rescuers in boats and helicopters continued, as more and more areas became endangered by waters backing into the lowlands.
By Saturday morning the National Guard had sealed off the town, no one could enter or leave.
Milton, Watsontown, Surrounding Areas
Water, break, milk and supplies were limited in Milton, Watsontown, and surrounding areas.
Farmers were giving milk away to those who could reach the farms. People with swimming pools were giving the water to their neighbors.
Bread was airlifted in from Williamsport, and local grocers still have adequate supplies, but fear those will not last for the duration of this emergency.
Northumberland
The entire borough was without power and water. An emergency generator was set up at the Christ United Methodist Church.
Three persons were treated for shock, and Russell Brouse was air lifted to the hospital with a case of appendicitis.
100 families were evacuated from Priestly Avenue & Duke Steee, where the rising waters caused the sewers to back up.
Borough council members traveled to Hazelton to borrow generators to keep local points in power.
And in the middle of the flood report, there's a notice that the Bicentennial committee will meet on June 27th.
Sunbury
There was no way out of the city by Friday night, anyone there as trapped.
The backwaters however, were receding, and the flood wall was holding strong. Four pumping stations were being operated, all the cities enclosures were up, sandbagged, and shaled.
"Businessmen attempting to use drinking water to clean out their stores will be subject to arrest under martial law." One man was reported doing this on Friday morning.
School Superintendent Earl Horton said that a man named Kevin has been organizing children's games, and getting the kids to form clean up details at the school, where 750-800 people were taking refuge during the flood.
Horton didn't know Kevin's last name. The bearded, long haired man was hitching from Phoenix Arizona to New York City with just the clothes on his back and a guitar, when he found himself stranded in Sunbury.
Sunday June 25, 1972
SWOLLEN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FALLING
WILL REACH IT'S NATURAL BANKS MONDAY
State police at Milton listed roads open to traffic, stressing that any travel in the area should be essential only.
- Travel from Sunbury to Northumberland or the communities on the west bank was still impossible.
- Traffic could move with difficulty east of Sunbury, to Danville and Shamokin.
- Routes 80 and 81 were open, but the capital was cut off by high water and cannot be bypassed.
- Route 15 remained closed at Winfield, but south of Selinsgrove traffic can move along 15.
- 45 in Lewisburg was open to the county line.
- Route 44 in Allenwood was open to Elimsport, but cut off from Elimsport to Williamsport.
- North of Danville rt 45 was open to Turbotville, but there was no way to get into Muncy or Montgomery, and Watsontown was still completely cut off.
Harrisburg
President Nixon flew in to survey the flood ravaged capital by helicopter.
Lewisburg
In Lewisburg an 8pm curfew was established, to clear the streets and allow rescue efforts to be unimpeded.
Charles Fisher Jr., owner of the Town Tavern, said "it looks like a free for all went on in here. The water took the bar and pointed it almost straight up in the air"
About a bushel of carp were founded in puddles throughout the night - they were all returned to the river.
"Only smooth flowing water" could be seen where the Bull Run Inn once stood. The building had burned in January and only recently had efforts to clear the debris been completed.
Homes along front and water streets were still under water, and no one was allowed in that area. All bridges were closed until they could be inspected.
A group of boy scouts from Wisconsin, who were touring the east coast, and camping near Lewisburg, were rescued by the National Guard after being stranded for two days.
Northumberland
100 families from Priestly avenue and Duke street were back in their homes, after two days of living with friends and family, or in emergency shelters.
Electricity was restored at 11:30 pm Saturday night
Parren Troup, a bread salesman, made a trip to the Hazelton area and returned with a truck load of bread, which he supplied to local grocery stores. Sales were limited to one loaf per a family. Sunbury Wholesale Seafood Co had donated refrigeratred trucks to keep the food cold at emergency shelters.
At least 6 cottages and 2 house trailers floated down the river from a resort area along the north branch of the river.
And the Bicentennial Committee will meet at 7:30 in the town library.
Shamokin Dam
Firemen had evacuated families by the dozen and furniture by the truck load from the northern end of the Old Trail.
The area, while mostly high and dry, was isolated, as the traffic circle as flooded
The main activity of most people in the area was to run from one end of the strip to the other to see if the water had rose, and by how much.
Many watched across the river with binoculars, praying the Sunbury Flood Wall would hold.
While some basemetns were flooded, the town was mostly unscathed.
Sunbury
Although the river was expected to be back to normal levels by Monday afternoon, residents were told to remain on high ground "until we get the water off that wall".
The Rea & Derrick Building on Market Street caught fire, blazing for more than 7 hours weary firemen aimed water at every side, and even from the roof of the Newberry Department store. Once the fire became contained, the front of the first floor was pulled down by a plow. Water washed cigarettes out from the building, and an unidentified youth gathered them up and distributed them to the firemen.
The weather forecast for Sunday included a few periods of rain, and a possibility of more showers on Monday.
Watsontown
"Watsontown escaped major damage", But the damage was more extensive than had been sustained in the 1936 flood. Water from tannery run creek and a smaller creek at the south end of town, caused most of the damage. The river crested at a foot higher than in 1936, flooding many low lying areas of the borough.
It was estimated that 34 Watsontown borough homes were damaged by flood waters.
Philco Ford provided a dispensary during the flood, with a doctor and nurse on hand at all times.
It was estimated that 34 Watsontown borough homes were damaged by flood waters.
Philco Ford provided a dispensary during the flood, with a doctor and nurse on hand at all times.
Damage Throughout The State
Agnes caused more than $2 billion in damage in Pennsylvania - including 68,000 homes and 3,000 businesses destroyed. Forty-eight deaths were reported - more than in any other state.
The American Red Cross distributed more than $200,000 in aid to 1,500 families in Northumberland, Montour, Snyder, Union and Columbia counties to help with the flood damage.
When the levee broke in Forty Fort, the water drilled into the cemetery, uprooting and throwing 2,700 caskets into the flooded town. Casket, and body, retrieval took days, and all of the recovered bodies were re-interred in a mass grave in another cemetery.
The American Red Cross distributed more than $200,000 in aid to 1,500 families in Northumberland, Montour, Snyder, Union and Columbia counties to help with the flood damage.
When the levee broke in Forty Fort, the water drilled into the cemetery, uprooting and throwing 2,700 caskets into the flooded town. Casket, and body, retrieval took days, and all of the recovered bodies were re-interred in a mass grave in another cemetery.
The Deaths
Of the 128 fatalities caused by the storm, 2 were in Canada, 7 in cuba, and 119 were in the United States. Of those 119, nearly half were in Pennsylvania.
On June 26, 1972, three news correspondents were killed in a helicopter crash in Harrisburg, where they had been covering the flooding. The victims were Del Vaughn of CBS News and Sid Brenner and Louis Clark of WCAU in Philadelphia, and the pilot, Mike Sedio. The helicopter lost its rotor some three hundred feet above the Capital City Airport, crashed, and exploded on the runway
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Additionally, 36 Girl Scouts were rescued by state police while at a camp in York.
National Guard Photos From Northeastern Pa
City Island, Harrisburg Pa
Enola, Pa
Harrisburg, Pa
Kingston, Pa
Shickshinny, Pa
Steelton, Pa
Old Fort, Pa
Wilkes Barre, Pa
Wyoming, Pa
Hi Heather, I found your blog when searching for local flood history. I'm putting together a local storytelling event on October 29 for local folks to share their stories of flooding. We're also looking for people who would be willing to record their stories. I was wondering if you knew anyone who might be interested in participating? I'd be happy to call folks or visit outdoors in person if that's easier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great work you're doing here.
Best,
Julie in Lewisburg, PA
Stories on Tap
PS: I think I know the Truckenmiller side of your family!