1933 — Dec 31-Jan 1, major storm, flash floods/slides/dam failure, L. A. County, CA — 45-47

 

 

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-18-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

 

–45-47  Blanchard death toll range.

 

NOAA shows 45 deaths, and we show 44 named victims and one unidentified victim, for 45. There is also newspaper reporting of 45 deaths as of January 5. Thus it does appear that there must have been at least 45 deaths. The last account we have noticed of missing, from later in January, shows 10 missing. In that the United Press of Jan 9 notes 47 deaths, and in that as many as 10 people were thought to be missing (incorrectly or not) as late as mid January, we choose to show 47 deaths as the high-end of our own estimated death toll.

 

–47  UP. “Mother’s Grief Spurs 200 Men in Search for Body.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 1-9-1934, 1.

–45  NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California… January 2007

–45  As of Jan 5. UP. “Coroner Plans Investigation of 44 Deaths.” Santa Ana Register, 1-5-3-1934, 1.[1]

–45  Blanchard tally of names (and one unidentified body) of flood victims below.

–43  Known deaths as of Jan 8, “with a dozen still missing.” According to United Press.[2]

–41  Bodies recovered as of January 4.[3]

 

Narrative Information

 

NOAA: “12.30-1.1.1934  A major storm. 7.36” in 24 hrs at LA… Storm totals in southern slopes of mountains topped 12” (heaviest:  16.29” in Azusa)….

 

“45 die all over Southern California in floods. Walls of water and debris up to 10’ high were noted in some canyon areas. Reportedly, 45 died in Montrose (now La Crescenta) and 100 houses were destroyed in mud and rocks flowing down Pickens Canyon into the valley. A wall of debris was observed 20 feet in height.” (NOAA, A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California Organized by Weather Type, Jan 2007, p. 8)

 

Newspapers

 

Jan 1, Bakersfield Californian/AP: “LATE BULLETINS. Boosting the Los Angeles district flood toll to 46 dead, bodies of 30 persons have been recovered in the La Crescenta canyon above Glendale, according to a short wave, amateur radio message received shortly before noon by William E. Whiting at Oildale. Mr. Whiting operates amateur station W6EQI. The message he received revealed La Crescenta’s only means of communication to the outside world is by amateur radio broadcasting. The district, recently swept by fire, was devastated by this morning’s flood as a direct result  of all underbrush and timber being razed by flames.

 

“LOS Angeles, Jan 1, (A.P.) – Nine deaths by drowning and seven more in traffic accidents were reported today from the worst rainstorm in the history of southern California. Nine bodies had been recovered and six identified. Besides the death toll, at least 110 persons were injured and thousands were driven from their homes by the raging flood waters which swept every section of the metropolitan areas. The situation grew worse hourly as the rainfall continued and by noon nearly 8 inches of rain had been measured here and more than 12 inches had fallen in Pasadena.

 

“(Associated Press Leased Wire)  LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1. Ten persons were known dead either by drowning or by traffic accidents, six others were definitely reported missing and scores of homes in many sections of Los Angeles city and county were flooded as the heaviest rainfall in the section’s history continued today. Four of the persons known dead were drowned. The only one whose body has been identified was that of Mrs. Doroth7y Carter of Monterey Park. She was swept under her husband’s automobile and drowned as she attempted to get out of the machine. The lifeless bodies of a woman and a boy about 14 years of age were found in the Glendale-Montrose district. The woman was found in the Verdugo wash and the youth in a torrent-swept fully in the eastern part of Montrose. A fourth body, that of a man, was found in a ravine near Burbank.

 

“Eleven persons were hurled into the flood waters of the Los Angeles river late last night when the automobiles in which they were riding caused a bridge to collapse under their weight. Five of the eleven were still reported missing today and police were endeavoring to make a complete check before issuing a new death list.

 

“In Glendale, the 7-year-old son of James Joslin, a federal employee, was missing and thought possibly drowned. The Joslin home was swept into the Verdugo wash when the foundations gave way. American Legion men working with lanterns found Joslin, his wife and another child, all unconscious, a mile from the home.

 

“In addition to those drowned or believed drowned, traffic accidents claimed six lives – due largely to slippery and flooded streets….” (Bakersfield Californian/AP. “53 Killed, 11- Injured in L.A. Flood.” 1-1-1934, p. 1.)

 

Jan 1, AP: “(Associated Press Leased Wire). Los Angeles, Jan 1. – The list of dead and missing, according to latest report, follows:

 

Sherman and Toots Herbard.

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Moore and Margaret Moore, of San Gabriel.

            This party of five lost their lives when their automobile plunged through a bridge

in Potrero Heights.

An unidentified woman between 35 and 40 years of age, whose body was found in

Glendale.

An unidentified body of a boy, about 14, found east of Montrose.

Mrs. Dorothy Carter, of Monterey Park….”

 

(Associated Press. “Late Death List in L.A. Tragedy.” Bakersfield Californian. 1-1-1934, p. 1.)

 

Jan 2, AP: “Los Angeles, Jan 1. (AP) – The list of dead in the terrific rainstorm which swept Southern California in the past twenty-four hours grew to twenty-three today as rescue workers searched through the debris-strewn areas surrounding Los Angeles. Besides these deaths, all attributed to drowning, seven more occurred in traffic accidents.

 

“Persons asleep in houses which were washed away, stranded motorists, some of them New Year’s celebrants returning from parties, and travelers riding in machines which fell through weakened bridges across usually dry river beds turned into a maelstrom of mud and water were numbered among the victims….

 

“In the Glendale sector alone, fourteen deaths were counted and there were nine other drownings in Los Angeles County….” (Associated Press. “30 Dead, Hundreds Evacuate Homes as Flood Sweeps L.A,” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-2-1934, p. 1.)

 

Jan 2. UP: “Los Angeles, Jan. 2. – (AUP) – Counting its dead at 40 with half that number missing and possibly drowned and an estimated property damage of $5,000,000, metropolitan Los Angeles today began to clear away debris of the worst storm in city history. A deluge of rain swept the foothills and coastal plain New Year’s Eve. Dry arroyos were turned into raging watercourses which carried tons of rock and silt from the hills to batter at homes in the valleys. Streets flowed as rivers, yellow with earth. In them hundreds of automobiles were marooned. Men, women and children fled for their lives as more than 3000 homes were flooded. Landslides buried highways. Rail traffic was disrupted.

 

“Borne on the wings of a storm from the north, rain cascaded steadily on Los Angeles and surrounding cities for 30 hours. When the New Year dawned, sullen and wet, the whole area was a panorama of destruction. In Los Angeles 8.27 inches of rain fell. In the foothill area the average was more than 10 inches. Glendora, east of Pasadena at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, recorded 15.40 inches, Glendale had 13.45 and Pasadena had 12.86 in little over 24 hours, the average annual rainfall was equaled….

 

“All schools in Los Angeles were closed today to allow a check of storm damage to buildings, some already weakened by the earthquake of last March 10. The basement of the Los Angeles county hospital was flooded, cutting off heat and light to the buildings for 24 hours. Emergency cases were rushed to private hospitals while those less seriously ill huddled under added blankets. Candles provided the only illumination.

 

“Culver City, Venice and southwestern Los Angeles were under water. More than 20 bridges were destroyed. Some streets were under four feet of mud and cocks. Others were filled with earth from curb to curb. The Montrose-La Crescenta area felt the storm’s full fury. It was there a large portion of the death toll was counted. At least 10 were killed there when a 50-foot check dam in Pickens Canyon, designed to divert flood waters, failed. A wall of water swept down upon the Montrose American Legion Hall, sweeping the building from its foundations and sending boulders and debris through a broken wall of the structure. The water, mud and rocks also swept away a service station and moved homes from foundations.

….

“Where yesterday bodies were recovered on lawns and on the streets, today it was a grim task of searching mud-filled areas for possible other victims. The count of dead stood at 40 today in official records, and another score of persons was missing. Officials said it was certain more dead would be found. Seven persons were killed in automobile accidents directly attributable to the storm. One motorist, creeping through the blinding rain, plunged into an arroyo where a bridge had been washed out. Five of the six persons in the car were drowned. A woman, panic stricken when water swept around the car driven by her husband, opened the door and was swept to her death in the flood.

 

“A gay New Year’s eve party at a resort built over a wash was halted in panic when the flood waters rose quickly, battering the pavilion from its foundations. One woman was drowned, swept to death in holiday finery. Others fought their way through the swirling waters to higher ground. Their automobiles were wrecked, tossed like cordwood against the building.

 

“Hundreds were homeless throughout the flood area today. Others returned to damaged houses as the waters receded. Among the damaged homes were those of members of the film colony at Malibu ranch. None of the stars were endangered.” (United Press. “Storm Death Toll Reaches 40.” Santa Ana Register, CA 1-2-1934, pp. 1 and 2.)

 

Jan 5, UP: “Los Angeles, Jan. 5. – (UP) – An investigation to det4rmine whether human negligence or an ‘act of God’ was responsible for the large loss of life in the New Year’s day storm will be conducted by Coroner Frank Nance, he announced today. ‘While it seems as act of providence was responsible, I have decided to start immediately a thorough and painstaking investigation of all facts and circumstances surrounding the disaster,’ Nance said. A special jury will be impaneled to investigate the tragedy, Nance said.

 

“The death toll remained at 45 while the list of missing dropped to 44 as many previously unreported persons advised authorities of their whereabouts.

 

“Bodies of many of the missing were sought in the mud and silt that covered the flood area. More than 6500 public works employees were engaged in the search and in the task of reconstructing the flood area.

 

Storm-Related Fatalities Identified in the Press

(Except when noted otherwise, from United Press. “Death List in Storm.” 1-2-1934.)

 

(In our tally at the top we show 45 deaths, meaning we do not include the 14 Jane and John Does in that some, most, or all of these victims may be included by name in our listing from sources printed after Jan 2, 1934.)

 

  1. Myrtle Adams, Red Cross president, Montrose.
  2. Alice Baldwin, Los Angeles.
  3. Phyllis Brooke, 17. Car swept into L.A. River near Riverside Drive. Missing as of Jan 9.[4]
  4. Richard C. Brummelt, 2, Glendale. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  5. Dorothy Carter, 45,[5] Monterey Park.
  6. Sam Carter, transient. Van Nuys. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  7. Joseph Correa, 17, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  8. Weston Dotty, 20, Venice.
  9. Winston Dotty, 20, Venice (twin of Weston)
  10. Clyde Dowell, CWA worker, Tujunga.
  11. Gladys Fisher, 20, Santa Monica. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  12. S. Gary, about 67, Modesto. Body found in Tuolumne River Jan 5.[6]
  13. Francis (Frank) L. Geraghty, 45, North Hollywood. (AP. “Revised Death List.” 1-3-1934, p.18.)[7]
  14. Kenneth A. Gillette, Los Angeles.
  15. Marylin (Mary) Ghoslin, 4, Glendale.
  16. Daniel Clark Harmon, 35,[8] (UP/”Death List” notes Mr. Harmon was from Glendale.)
  17. Chester Herrera, 12, Los Angeles. (Also: AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  18. Ethel Higley, 50, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  19. Homer Higley, 28, Montrose.
  20. A. Higley, 12, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  21. Sherman Hubbard, Wilmington. (Also: AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  22. Toots Hubbard, 18. (Also: AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)[9]
  23. Clara Hueawitz (unclear), 21, found Jan 7 in lowlands of Pinya Del Rey at Culver City.[10]
  24. Vera Kahn, La Crescenta. (Or Vera Kahn, 45 of Montrose.)[11]
  25. Betty Lorraine Klaus, 10 months, Montrose.
  26. Joseph Lavery (unclear), 28, Glendale. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p. 18.)
  27. Joan McDonald, 6-weeks-old, recovered from pile of debris. House hit by torrent.[12]
  28. Ella J. McLean, 80, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p. 18.)
  29. H. A. McKenzie, 35, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p. 18.)
  30. J. E. Moore, San Gabriel. (Also: AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.)
  31. J. E. Moore, San Gabriel. (Also: AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  32. Martha Moore, 7, San Gabriel. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Moore.[13]
  33. Elwood Plum, Long Beach. (Or Elwood Plumb, 55, of Long Beach.)[14]
  34. Clyde Powell, 45, Tujunga. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  35. Virginia Pulliam/Pullian, 17. Still being looked for Jan 9.[15]
  36. E. H. Reill, Montrose. (Or Mrs. Ruth I. Riehl)[16]
  37. Eugene Scully, 45, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  38. Margaret Smith, 57,[17] La Crescenta.[18]
  39. Etta (unclear) Thomas, 45, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, 18)
  40. William Tolman, Montrose. Died from injuries at General Hospital, Jan 8.[19]
  41. Betty Wilson, 2, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee. 1-3-1934, p.18.)
  42. Sam Wilson, 10, Verdugo City.
  43. Marty Wilson, 12, Verdugo City. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  44. Catherine Wood, 50, Montrose. (AP. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, 18.)
  45. Body of woman, 30-40, found Jan 8 under six feet of debris.[20]
  46. Jane Doe, 45, Tujunga.
  47. Jane Doe, 2, Glendale.
  48. John Doe, 1, Glendale.
  49. John Doe, 16, Glendale.
  50. John Doe, 19, Glendale.

John Doe, 45, Glendale. (We speculate this was Clyde Powell.)

  1. John Doe, 35, Glendale.
  2. John Doe, 70, Van Nuys.
  3. John Doe, 45, Tujunga.
  4. John Doe, adult, Verdugo City.
  5. John Doe, adult, Verdugo City
  6. John Doe, adult, Verdugo City.
  7. John Doe, young boy, Verdugo City.
  8. John Doe, young boy, Verdugo City.

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “30 Dead, Hundreds Evacuate Homes as Flood Sweeps L.A,” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-2-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-02-1934-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Flood Clearing Plan Is Started.” Modesto Bee, 1-7-1934, p. 4. Accessed 12-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-07-1934-p-4/

 

Associated Press. “Kin Search For Bodies In Flood Debris; 41 Recovered.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-4-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-04-1934-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Late Death Lis in L.A. Tragedy.” Bakersfield Californian. 1-1-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-jan-01-1934-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-03-1934-p-18/

 

Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-4-1934, p. 6. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-04-1934-p-18/

 

Bakersfield Californian/Associated Press. “53 Killed, 11- Injured in L.A. Flood. Kern Isolated From Southland by Torrential Rains, Slides. Homes Flooded and Traffic Disrupted by Heaviest Storm in History of City.” 1-1-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-jan-01-1934-p-1/

 

Los Angeles Times. “Storm Victim Vainly Sought.” 1-4-1934, p. 13. Accessed 12-18-2024 at: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-talks-about-effect/39127731/?locale=fr-CA

 

Modesto Bee, CA. “Man Drowned In Tuolumne River.” 1-5-1934, p. 1, col. 6. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/modesto-bee-and-news-herald-jan-05-1934-p-1/

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California Organized by Weather Type.  NOAA, January 2007, updated March 2024, 91 pages. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/sgx/documents/weatherhistory.pdf

 

United Press. “Coroner Plans Investigation of 44 Deaths.” Santa Ana Register, 1-5-3-1934, p.1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-daily-evening-register-jan-05-1934-p-2/

 

United Press. “Death List In Storm.” Santa Ana Daily Register, CA. 1-2-1934, p. 2. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-daily-evening-register-jan-02-1934-p-2/

 

United Press. “Mother’s Grief Spurs 200 Men in Search for Body.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 1-9-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkeley-daily-gazette-jan-09-1934-p-13/

 

United Press. “Open Probe of Flood Deaths.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, 1-8-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkeley-daily-gazette-jan-08-1934-p-9/

 

United Press. “Seek Flood Victim.” San Mateo Times, CA. 1-9-1934, p. 1. Accessed 12-18-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-mateo-times-jan-09-1934-p-1/

 

United Press. “Storm Death Toll Reaches 40.” Santa Ana Register, CA 1-2-1934, pp. 1 and 2. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-daily-evening-register-jan-02-1934-p-1/

 

Van Nuys News, CA. “Storm Damage in Van Nuys…” 1-4-1934, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed 12-17-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/van-nuys-news-jan-04-1934-p-4/

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

 

 

[1] While the headline notes 44 deaths under investigation, article notes 45 deaths.

[2] United Press. “Open Probe of Flood Deaths.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, 1-8-1934, p. 1.

[3] Associated Press. “Kin Search For Bodies In Flood Debris; 41 Recovered.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-4-1934, p. 1.

[4] Los Angeles Times. “Storm Victim Vainly Sought. Friends Search for Body of Missing Girl.” 1-4-1934, p. 13.

[5] Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.

[6] Modesto Bee, CA. “Man Drowned In Tuolumne River.” 1-5-1934, p. 1, col. 6.

[7] First name of Francis is from Van Nuys News, CA. “Storm Damage in Van Nuys…” 1-4-1934, p. 1, col. 1. Notes he was a Columbia Studio director and was found in the sand beneath his car in Big Tujunga wash.

[8] Age is from: Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-4-1934, p. 6.

[9] Notes it was believed that she was the sister of Sherman Hubbard.

[10] Associated Press. “Flood Clearing Plan Is Started.” Modesto Bee, 1-7-1934, p. 4.

[11] Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.

[12] The baby had been “wrenched from her mother’s arms as a torrent struck their home.” (United Press. “Mother’s Grief Spurs 200 Men in Search for Body.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, CA. 1-9-1934, p. 1. ) Notes “The discovery increased the known death toll to  47, with ten other persons still missing.”

[13] Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.

[14] Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.

[15] Car in which she and her friend Phyllis Brooke, 17, were riding was swept away by waters of the Los Angeles River near Riverside Drive. (Los Angeles Times. “Storm Victim Vainly Sought.” 1-4-1934, p. 13.) Also. United Press. “Seek Flood Victim.” San Mateo Times, CA. 1-9-1934, p. 1.

[16] Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-3-1934, p. 18.

[17] Age is from Associated Press. “Revised Death List.” Modesto Bee, CA. 1-4-1934, p. 6.

[18] AP article (“Revised Death List”) notes the death of a Mrs. Margaret Smith, 52, of Montrose, “believed victim of heart failure.”

[19] United Press. “Open Probe of Flood Deaths.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, 1-8-1934, p. 1. Notes his was the 43rd known death.

[20] United Press. “Open Probe of Flood Deaths.” Berkeley Daily Gazette, 1-8-1934, p. 1.