The 1946 Flood

Stories And Photos Of The 1946 Flood, Town By Town, In The Central Susquehanna River Valley

Shown above - the view from on top of the prison in Williamsport, May 30 1946

In the last week of May, 1946, there were 4 straight days of heavy rains.  "In the mind of residents, the river was area was the ever-present danger of high water, water that could be seen rising as the result of four days rain...  However, optimistic radio reports served to lull many into a sense of false security and not until quite late did this medium  of warning begin to sound ominous.  All doubt was removed with the sounding of the fire alarm at Lewisburg, and whistles at plants at nearby Milton." Residents awoke to find themselves in the midst of a full fledged flood.

On May 28th 1946, the river overflowed its banks all along the Susquehanna Valley.  Trains were washed off the tracks, two farmers died near Mill Hall while attempting to clear debris from a dam, two Bucknell students borrowed a canoe to explore the flood waters and had to be rescued [this happened in every single flood.] Muskrats played in rose arbors in Lewisburg, and residents everywhere scrambled to get their belongings to higher ground.  Sunbury , Milton, and Williamsport suffered the most damages.

Here's a look at the  1946 flood  town by town, alphabetically:

============

Danville

============

============

Jersey Shore

============

In Jersey Shore the river reached 33.83 feet.  Note that the Memorial Day Program was still to be held as planned.  

============

Lewisburg

============

"Lacking three and a half feet from reaching the high mark of the 1936 flood, Lewisburg came through this last inundation far better than 10 years ago, although property damage can still be figured in the thousands of dollars."

Unwarned until almost too late, the disaster crews sprung into action early Tuesday morning without hitch and by the time the flood waters were lapping Memorial Park, most furniture and household goods in the threatened sections had safely been transported to safety, along with the owners who were given refuge in the homes of more fortunate residents."

University avenue was flooded by the waters of Bull Run, and the entire section below Brown Street was flooded by the Susquehanna.  By evening, the hospital was accessible only by boat, and the U.S. Penitentiary (which needed 20 guards for emergency duty) was shorthanded, as all the back country roads leading there were flooded. 

The River crested at Lewisburg at 4am on May 29th, at a height of 29.6

"PLENTY OF LUCK ALL BAD For the winner of the hard -duck trophy, we cast our vote for Paul "Brose" Walker. "Brose" began his hard luck last summer when his pet cat was shot. He followed this up by being burned out of his home on St. Louis street when fire broke out on the other side of the double house. Much of his furniture, plumbing tools and equipment were damaged or destroyed through no fault of his own. Undaunted, in the face of a serious housing shortage, the Walker family fixed a nice little place along the river below the Quaker Manufacturing Company. Of course the flood came along and that was that, but the story isn't over. "Brose" was removing furniture through the roof and handing it to men in boats when, yes he toppled over and landed in the river; Last seen, "Brose" was sitting in his truck, soaking wet, and looking rather, disgustedly at the normally placid West Branch." - Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

"Wildlife Abundant - with all the seriousness of the flood, several fortunate onlookers were highly entertained Tuesday evening on South Front Street as they stood and watched a family of muskrats cavorting in teh yellow water.  We believe seeing muskrats swimming through rose arbors sets some kind of record, and don't advise such sights for those who haven't 'gone off the wagon'" -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

In every flood, major or minor, there is a story of Bucknell students borrowing a canoe, and then needing rescued. By 1946, the Lewisburg Journal was over it -

Higher Education --- Negative "History repeats" is an old saying, and usually true. 

It seems that all that is needed is high water to bring out the lesser aspects of higher education as witnessed by the action of the three Bucknell students, none of whom could swim, who were saved from drowning Wednesday afternoon when the canoe borrowed from James McClure, Jr. turned over in the current at the south end of town. Clutching madly to underbrush, the three managed to stay above water as they called for help. Two other students plus the experience and hell) of Park McKissick went to their rescue in a strong boat and brought them back to safety. We've seen! this happen during several other floods and by this time it is becoming boring,. --- and a bit imbecilic.

Higher Education - Positive.   On the good side for higher education is the opposite story of the excellent aid rendered locally and at Sunbury by college men and women  who volunteered their services so badly needed down river. Taken to Sunbury in S and N Bus Company busses, the men and women are understood to have been of considerable help to that stricken community.  Nor must it be forgotten that college girls worked long and arduously at the canteen and at the Evangelical boat to the hospital Tuesday night to relieve the overworked staff at that institution.

Industrially, Lewisburg did not suffer too much. The Lewisburg Mills, on North Water street, was the first to feel the effects of the swelling river when water began seeping in the basement early Tuesday morning. Employees began moving equipment and other articles stored there to the first floor and comparatively little damage was reported.

Quaker Manufacturing Company, located on St. Louis street near the river, also had water in the lower part of the building, but no damage was done to the higher floors.

 Busser Supply Company warehouses had about five feet of water on- the ground level, but the warehouses were covered by only several inches on the first floors; five inches in the one warehouse and about one inch on the floor of the other building. Most of the material and merchandise had been moved by employees to a place of safety. 

The Lewisburg Chair and Furniture Company reported a few inches of water in the basement with damage negligible. All pulleys, bets and other power transmission media had been disconnected md made as safe as possible.

 The Peerless Laundry, located on South. Sixth street, immediately off Market, reported 31 inches of water on the first floor. Several motors were damaged by the water, but no other machinery damage was reported. All laundry had been taken away before the water reached the building. 

Clay VanBuskirk, proprietor of the Lewisburg Concrete Products Company,-put to use his experience gained in two previous floods and moved all of his equipment and materials to higher levels. : With a-bout 16 Inches of Water in parts of the buildings, -Mr. VanBuskirk reported slight damage. 

 Stover's Bowling Alleys, on South Sixth street, had about a foot of water over the alleys, which were somewhat warped, aJthougta at is hoped some of the boards will settle and with refinishing may be put in serviceable condition. Men were busy pumping water from the alleys yesterday.

 Union Motors, on Route 15 north of Lewisburg, was undamaged, while Thomason Chevrolet Inc., further south on Route" 15, experienced no flooding although yesterday water began seeping into the basement. It was reported that damage would be slight since an automatic pump immediately began pumping water from the basement.

 Hilands Cannery on Cherry Alley reported two feet four inches of water at high mark. AH motors had been removed from building and most equipment reported undamaged. am. water was out of building by Thursday. 

Dietrich and Gambrill's feed mill lost about two carloads of feed when between three and four feet of water entered the basement. Employes had moved between eight and ten carloads of feed to higher levels before the water overtook them at their work. 

============

Lock Haven

============

5 Points, Lock Haven

At Mill Hall, near Lock Haven, Charles Gilmore and Richard Bowman, two farmers, were attempting to clear debris from a factory dam.  The two men were sucked into the waters of Fishing Creek.  Both were drowned. 

Fire at Clasters in Lock Haven, during the flood

============

Mifflinburg

============

Mifflinburg — Far removed from river, but according to reliable re- ports, experienced some similar sensation when water from underground ! springs flooded some residential basements and businesses. Water reported in some cellars from one foot to four feet in depth. Believed caused by soaked condition of ground being unable to carry off normal spring absorption. General — Areas bordering both sides of river badly damaged by floating debris, mud and high water. Many small outbuildings carried down river to be deposited on roads, lanes, farm land and stuck against I bridges. Crops almost completely I obliterated, either by washouts or by deposits of heavy mud. Current measured by U. S. Geodetic Survey reported at nine miles an hour after high level had been reached.  -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

============

Milton

============

Milton — Probably most seriously damaged town in area, excepting Sunbury and Williamsport. Water reached flood level early Tuesday morning and at height of flood, was reported to cover that section east I of a north and south line running approximately from Arch street north of Broadway to a similar depth south of Broadway. Largest industry to suffer damage was the Chef Boy-Ar- Dee Quality Food Plant, where employees and extra help worked feverishly to remove food stuff and equipment from basement and lower floors. - Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

The two prisoners being held at Milton were moved to the Montour County Prison in Danville during the flood.

Looking north on Front Street, from Broadway

Elm St, Milton

Adrian Klinger of 217 South Front Street suffered an epileptic seizure, and drowned in 3 feet of water just 60 feet from his home.

An infant was born prematurely to Mr & Mrs Norman Dodge.  The baby died 11 hours after being born.

Billy Reidle, 6 year old son of Mr & Mrs Leroy Reidle, was hit by an automobile on Shakespeare ave.  He  was taken to Evangelical Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

============

Montandon

============

Montandon — Farmland between here and river badly damaged, and many basements of homes in area filled with water. Damage held to a minimum by closing railroad culvert preventing water from flowing into town. East Lewisburg — Badly damaged. All homes reported flooded and Pennsylvania Railroad branch line from Montandon to Lewisburg washed out. Homes and businesses north and i south of bridge entrance along Route 14 also badly damaged by water, mud and floating debris. Twin Diners al-most completely covered at height of flood. 

Chillisquaque — Homes along Chillisquaque Creek reported flooded when water backed up from river.  -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

 ============

Northumberland

============

Northumberland — Comparatively little damage reported except along low lands bordering both North and West Branch of Susquehanna. Water I reported over top of bridge leading to Blue Hill and bridge between Northumberland and Sunbury over Island Park unusable.  -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

 ============

Sunbury

============

Sunbury — Most badly damaged city in entire section, according to reports of eyewitnesses who claim city was damaged more than during! the flood of 1936. Central part of I city covered with water when dike  north of eastern branch of railroad broke, sending part of North Branch down Fifth, Fourth, Third streets and all over Spring Run section. Water I on Market street reported higher than in 1936. Radio Station WKOK operated full time to provide means of transmitting news of stricken areas and personal messages. North' Branch reported crested at noon I Wednesday, but water was continuing to rise in city due to seepage. No estimates of damage. -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

"Sunbury, in Northumberland County, was the first and last to feel the destructive power of the Susquehanna today. T his morning the river burst through two dykes protecting the city of 16 thousand residents and torrents of water swirled through the city's low lying business district.  Up to 7 feet of water was reported in some sections."

River levels at Sunbury in 1946 reached 22.99 feet.  Not as high as 1865 (22.5 ft) or 1936 (26.85 ft), but still one of the worst floods on record in the valley.  The flood wall at Sunbury had been approved in 1936, but after the 1946 flood, construction finally got underway. More about when Sunbury got a flood wall:  https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-sunbury-got-flood-wall.html

============

Watsontown & White Deer

============

Watsontown — Escaped damage except that part of town bordering river front where water entered a number of homes and the basement of the high school. Main section of community untouched, although town was temporarily cut off from other sections because of flooded roads to north, east, west and south. -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

White Deer — Low sections east of Route 15 badly damaged by high water of river and overflow of White Deer Creek. Considerable damage to gardens and roads in lower section of town and main road across river bridge to Watsontown closed early in flood by creek overthrow and rising river. -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

============

Winfield

============

Winfield — Sections of this com-munity were flooded, as was most of the surrounding farmland. Most of the homes escaped damage and nearly all furniture was removed from the threatened homes before the water had come up in these houses in the flood area. New Columbia — Escaped with no damage other than to surrounding farm land. No homes reported dam-aged, and water was reported to have reached only to the road. -  Lewisburg Journal, May 30th 1946

============

Williamsport

============

Flood waters began rising in Williamsport Monday afternoon, May 27, 1946, when cloudburst conditions developed over the headwaters of Lycoming and Pine Creeks. 

"Tuesday evening, May 28, 1946, Williamsport's third most severe flood reached its crest of 30.1 feet. In 1936 the crest was 33.6 feet and in 1889 it was approximately 31.6 feet. The swift-rising flood waters came on with a rush Monday night and early Tues-day morning when county streams, fed by three days of torrential rains, unloaded a tremendous volume into the rising Susquehanna River.

 The river went over its banks about 3 o'clock Tuesday morning and three hours later the downtown area and low-lying streets were inundated. In spite of the hundreds of thousands of dollars lost in property damages and the relatively short warning, not one life was lost in Lycoming County due to the flood.

 The devastating flood waters showed the community it could no longer depend on its "flood season" of March and April. It also pointed out conclusively that the completion of the dike was imperative. "

Market And 4th

In Williamsport, the crew of a switch engine narrowly escaped drowning when a Pennsylvania engine and tender they were operating crossed a new fill and was thrown into the swollen Lycoming Creek.

The engineer, J.W. Galer, and brakeman, Ivan Ulrich, san to safety but the fireman, D.A. Emig was stranded on the tender for more than 15 minutes.  As the first two men swam to safety, they alerted passing motorists who were able to put their car lights on the tender where Emig was stranded. A group  of men then found a boat to take out to Emig, to rescue him.

 All three men were taken to the hospital where they were treated for exposure and shock.

"The Lycoming creek had raised to such an extent that the fill washed away, leaving the tracks twisted."

"At the 3rd Street Entrance"

 The Red Cross reported providing shelter for 1.217 flood refugees from Williamsport and South Williamsport, and they served 4,953 meals at the shelters.  

================

For More Local History & Stories - 

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html

Find more about when the Susquehanna River Flooded our towns, here:

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/06/when-mighty-susquehanna-flooded-our.html

===========
READ MORE
============

CHARLES GILMORE and RICHARD BOWMAN, farmers from Mill Hall, Pa., sucked into waters trying to clear debris from a factory dam; GEORGE RAYMOND BARTON, 6, drowned in a rain-swollen creek at Harrisburg, Pa.; RICHARD HALLER, 66, Garland, Pa., heart attack while clearing a slide; MRS. WILLIAM WOMER, 30, her children, WILLIAM JR., 2 and DIANNE, 3, all of gang mills, near Corning, NY and one unidentified girl in New York State.

At least ten others were reported missing.