Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 12-29-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–18-19 Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.[1]

— 17 Emporia Gazette, KS. “New Mississippi Flood…17 Dead in Wake.” May 16, 1933, p. 2.

— 15 Bismarck Tribune, ND. “Principal Events of Year Throughout World…”, 12-28-1933, 3.

— 15 Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Sweeps Over Lowlands.” 5-16-1933, p. 7.

— 12 Waterloo Courier, IA. “Ohio Flows Over Cincinnati Land….” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

Summary of State Breakouts Below:

Indiana (11-12)

Iowa ( 1)

Missouri ( 2)

Ohio ( 4)

Total: 18-19

Breakout of Flooding Related Fatalities by State and Locality:

Indiana (11-12)

–12 INS. “Boy Drowns In Ditch.” The Times, Hammond, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 9.

–11 UP. “Evansville Flood Nears Highest Mark.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-15-1933, 1.

–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

— 9 Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1.

— 8 Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, p. 1.

Breakout of Indiana flooding related fatalities by locality.

— 1 Anderson, May 14 Drowning; Arthur Lee Dolph, in backwaters of White River.[2]

— 1 Columbus. Collapsed/died while attempting to reach flood-isolated home; Samuel Conne, 74.[3]

— 1 Fairmont, May 12. Drowning; lost balance on Back Creek edge, fell in; Alfred Matson, 5.[4]

— 1 Indianapolis, May 14. Car collides with traffic signal in blinding rain; Timothy A. Burke, 23.[5]

— 2 Indianapolis, May 15. Drownings; Francis J. Shannon, 13, and Francis W. Wilson, 14.[6]

— 1 Posey County. Drowning; Buddy Dlelkes, 4, in ditch with overflow from Wabash River.[7]

— 1 Rushville, May 14. Drowning in small stream flood water; Marion Stephens, 16.[8]

— 1 Terre Haute, May 15. Drowning; Jesse Mayfield.[9]

— 1 Vincennes area, May 14. Drowning in creek; Fred Ellerman, Jr. 3.[10]

Iowa ( 1)

–1 Morrow May 15. Drowning; canoe capsized in Little Miami River; John Ecker, 63.[11]

Missouri ( 2)

–1 Poplar Bluff area, May 15. Drowning; fall from boat into Black River; Walter Brooks, 25.[12]

–1 St. Louis, May 15. Drowning; fell into Des Peres River; Charles La Bruyere, 11.[13]

Ohio ( 4)

–4 Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Sweeps Over Lowlands.” May 16, 1933, p. 7.

–4 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–1 Cincinnati, May 15. Drowning; swept into drainage tunnel; William Voelpel.[14]

–1 Columbus, May 15. Drowning; canoe capsized in Olentangy River; Frank M. Long, 32.[15]

–1 Tiffin, May 15. Drowning; fell from tree into swollen stream; Leonard Mitchell, 13.[16]

–1 Locale not noted. Electrocution; touched live ware and fell in a creek; Harold Ray, 16.[17]

Narrative Information

May 12, Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN: “At 1 o’clock this afternoon the Wabash river was within less than six inches of flood stage, Frank Emlinger, government representative announced. However the rate of rise had been reduced to less than an inch an hour. The afternoon measurement placed the water at 14.6 feet. Flood stage here is fifteen feet….” (Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Rivers Near Flood Stage.” 5-12-1933, p. 1.)

May 13, AP: “Indianapolis, May 13. (AP) – A destructive wind and rain storm that swept a broad section of Indiana today had practically subsided tonight after causing damage estimated at thousands of dollars. To the four deaths of Hoosiers in flood waters recorded earlier in the week were added four more storm fatalities. Four-year-old Arthur Delph, of Anderson, was drowned in the back waters of White river. Timothy A. Burke, 23, suffered fatal injuries when his automobile collided with a traffic signal in Indianapolis during a blinding rain storm. Marion Stephens, 16, was drowned in the flood waters of a small stream near Rushville. Fred Ellerman, Jr., 3 years old, fell into a flooded creek near Vincennes and was drowned.” (Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, p. 1.)

May 14: “The Ohio valley’s second flood in as many months crept toward its crest today, leaving four dead, scores homeless and unestimated damage to thousands of acres of newly planted farm land. Warned from Washington to expect flood conditions from Parkersburg, W. Va., to the Mississippi, authorities in river cities rallied their forces to administer relief….

“Many residential blocks in Newport, Ky., hardly recovered from the March flood, were again threatened. The water swept into camping grounds near Cincinnati marooning a number of campers. The river swished at the doorsteps of rows of houses along the Cincinnati waterfront….

“The Scioto and Muskingum rivers in southern Ohio were out of their banks and the Tuscarawas river in northeastern Ohio was overflowing near Dover. Twenty houses were swept from their foundations by a cloudburst in the Thomas Fork creek district near Pomeroy, and many families had narrow escapes. Twenty-five families were driven from their homes by rising waters near Athens….

“The latest death was at Tiffin, O., where Leonard Mitchell, 13, a ward of the national home of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, fell from a tree into a swollen stream and drowned. At Columbus, Frank M. Long, 32, drowned in the Olentangy river when his canoe capsized, and Harold Ray, 16, touched a high voltage wire and fell to his death in a creek.[18] William Voelpel was swept into a drainage tunnel at Cincinnati and drowned….” (Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood In Ohio Valley.” 5-15-1933, p.1.)

May 14, AP: “By The Associated Press. Wind and rain lashed at southern Ohio again yesterday, causing the deaths of two men and injuries to at least twenty others….A deluge over the southwestern portion of the state sent rivers and creeks out of their banks, and in Cincinnati flood waters swept William Voelpel, 45, to death in a drainage tunnel….” (Sandusky Register, OH. “Wind, Rain Lash State….” 5-14-1933, p.1.)

May 15, UP: “Indianapolis, May 15 — (UP) — Flood waters covered hundreds of acres of rich farm land in Indiana today, seriously endangering crops and adding to the damage caused by similar conditions less than two months ago. Nine persons have lost their lives in swollen, streams and rivers, six deaths being recorded over the weekend.

“Rain fell steadily in central and southern sections of the state today but officials at the U. S. weather bureau here said it would not aggravate the flood conditions to any great extent unless the precipitation becomes heavier. The water was receding in central parts of the state but rising rapidly in the south. Levees along the Wabash and White rivers at Vincennes were being sand bagged and gates of Vincennes new sea wall were closed. More than three inches of rain fell there over the week end and a quarter mile section of the White river levee south of Vincennes was washed away.

“Drowning victims were Francis J. Shannon, 13 and Francis W. Wilson, 14, both of Indianapolis; Marion Stephens, 16, Rushville; Arthur Lee Dolph, Jr.. 3, Anderson; Fred Ellerman Jr. 2, Vincennes and Jesse Mayfield, 41, Terre Haute.

“Levels of the White river were reported by the weather bureau today as follows: Indianapolis, 19.9 feet; Elliston, 24.1; Edwardsport, 18; Seymour, 13.4; Shoals, 22.9 and Decker, 19. The river was rising at all these points except Indianapolis.

“The Wabash was at 21.5 feet at Lafayette, 27.3 at Covington; 24.3 at Terre Haute, 16.1 at Vincennes and 20.3 at Mt. Carmel. The Ohio had reached 4.2 feet at Evansville. The crest of the flood at Terre Haute is expected to be reached this afternoon but the Wabash will not reach its highest level at Mt. Carmel, Ill., for about three days, it was predicted.” (Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1.)

May 15, UP: “Cincinnati, O. — (U.P.) — Scarcely recovered from the disastrous March flood, hundreds of families were forced to move from their homes again Monday as the Ohio river overflowed its banks for the second time this year after the heaviest rainfall ever recorded here in a 24-hour period. The swollen Ohio, fed by torrential rains which since Saturday have caused three deaths and more than $250,000 damage, reached flood stage at noon Sunday and moved into the industrial water front. A crest of 56 feet, four feet above flood level, was predicted for Monday. The 24-hour rain totaled 5.5 inches.

“The latest victim, John Ecker, 63, was drowned when his canoe capsized in the turbulent little Miami river at Morrow, Warren county [IA].

Louisville in Flood Path.

“The flooded Ohio river area extends from about 50 miles up-river from Cincinnati, to cities in Indiana and Kentucky, including Louisville, where a river stage two feet above the danger mark was expected Monday night. An even wider area was threatened by flood. The weather bureau at Washington warned of high waters in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and western Tennessee.

Sweep Toward Ohio Valley.

“Indianapolis, Ind. — (U.P.) – Floods which have claimed a dozen lives in central Indiana and Illinois swept toward the Ohio and Mississippi valleys Monday. Flood levels of the Upper White

and Wabash rivers were receding after washing out spring crops and doing thousands of dollars damage to homes, roads and farms. A Big Four locomotive was derailed at Petersburg when a section of track was washed out by the Pride creek.

“In southern Indiana rivers were at their peak of 20 years. Heavy rains continued to add to the hazards. At Terre Haute the Wabash river was more than a mile and a half wide. Clinton was cut off on three sides. Two persons were drowned at Indianapolis. Two Indianapolis suburbs were almost completely inundated….

Little Rock, Ark. – (U.P.) – Torrential rains and a tornado in Arkansas over the weekend took a toll of at least four lives and did heavy property damage. Trains to and from the western part of the state were delayed as much as 12 hours because of washouts. Normal train service was not expected for at least two days….Swollen creeks forced residents of the lowlands in the northwestern part of the state to leave their homes, but Monday they were returning to clear away debris left by the swirling waters….” (Waterloo Courier, IA. “Ohio Flows Over Cincinnati Land…Second Time.” 5-15-1933, p.1.)

May 16, AP: “Memphis, Tenn., May 16 (AP) – A new torrent of water swept southward today, leaving at least 17 dead, and heavy property damage in the upper regions and threatening new anxiety along tributary streams in Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Southeast Missouri.

“Two deaths were reported in Missouri yesterday. Charles La Bruyere, 11, was drowned at St. Louis when he fell into the river Des Peres, swollen from Mississippi backwater, and Walter Brooks, 25-year-old bridegroom of a week, toppled from a boat into the swirling Black river near Poplar Bluff. Fifteen other deaths were credited to floods in the upper Ohio river basin.

“As practically all streams continued their rapid rise today, Missouri national guardsmen patrolled levees on the Black and St. Francis rivers; the city of Hickman, Ky., prepared for a new surge of Mississippi overflow waters in its business district and farmers and engineers in Mississippi and Arkansas continued their battles to keep tributary levees intact.” (Emporia Gazette, KS. “New Mississippi Flood…17 Dead in Wake.” May 16, 1933, p. 2.)

May 16, AP: “By The Associated Press. Flood waters gushed over Ohio valley lowlands in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky yesterday while residents counting 15 dead, watched the skies with apprehension. Weather observers said new rains would send the floods over still more territory. Bank-full south of Cincinnati, they said, the Ohio could not drain off any new torrents from southwestern Ohio and above, and so must spread out over newly planted farm acres, and into riverside city homes.

“Eleven persons had lost their lives in Indiana as swollen streams burst their banks and swept across the lowlands. Four more died in Ohio as the Ohio’s tributaries washed new paths in the main stream….” (Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Sweeps Over Lowlands.” May 16, 1933, 7.)

May 16, UP: “Evansville, Ind., May 16 – (UP) – Flood waters of four rivers and a score of tributaries were pouring their overflow into the pocket section of Indiana today. In many places the waster threatens to reach its highest point since the disastrous flood of 1913. Enough rain has fallen to send the crest of the Ohio to 45 feet here, weather bureau officials reported. The Wabash, White and Patoka rivers have been rising swiftly in Gibson county where more than 10 inches of rain has fallen since May 1.

“The floods already have exacted a toll of 11 lives and caused more than $1,000,000 property damage in central portions of the state.

“But the rivers were falling today at Indianapolis, Clinton, Terre Haute, Anderson, Peru and Noblesville. The crest of the Wabash passed Terre Haute last night after driving hundreds of persons from their homes. Much of West Terre Haute and parts of central Terre Haute were inundated. Relief agencies were taxed to capacity to provide food and shelter for the stricken families. The Wabash almost surrounded Clinton, north of here, but a noticeable drop in the water was reported. Fifteen families were isolated but their homes were on high ground and no danger for their safety was felt.” (United Press. “Evansville Flood Nears Highest Mark.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-15-1933, 1.)

May 17, UP: “Evansville, Ind., May 17 – (UP) – Lowland residents evacuated their homes and drove livestock to higher ground today as flood waters neared their crests in the pocket section of Indiana. Levees were strengthened with sandbags and impromptu dikes were constructed in many places. The precaution was taken after the Shufflebarger levee broke one mile north of Elnora, flooding thousands of acres of farm lands and 30 homes. No one was reported injured but s4erious damage was caused.

“Two more deaths were added to the current flood toll yesterday. Buddy Dielkes, 4, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dielkes, Posey county farmer, was drowned in a three foot ditch filled with overflow from the Wabash river. The death of Samuel Conne, 74, was attributed directly to the flood. He collapsed while attempting to reach his isolated home near Columbus….” (United Press. “High Waters Force Many From Homes.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 1.)

Sources

Bismarck Tribune, ND. “Principal Events of Year Throughout World…,” Dec 28, 1933, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=4616445

Emporia Gazette, KS. “New Mississippi Flood…Leaving 17 Dead in Wake.” May 16, 1933, 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=107812858

INS (International News Service). “Boy Drowns In Ditch.” The Times, Hammond, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 9. Accessed 12-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-may-17-1933-p-13/

Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=83953329

Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, 1. Accessed 12-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-may-14-1933-p-1/

Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood in Ohio Valley.” 5.15.1933, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=11304392

Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Rivers Near Flood Stage.” 5-12-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-19-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-may-12-1933-p-1/

Sandusky Register, OH. “Wind, Rain Lash State; Two Dead.” 5-14-1933, 1. Accessed 12-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-may-14-1933-p-1/

Times Recorder, Zanesville, OH. “Sweeps Over Lowlands.” 5-16-1933, p. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=6422859

United Press. “Central Indiana Flood Condition Is Dangerous.” Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. 5-12-1933, pp. 1 and 12. Accessed 12-29-2024 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-lake-county-times-may-12-1933-p-1/

United Press. “Evansville Flood Nears Highest Mark.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-15-1933, 1. Accessed 12-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-may-16-1933-p-1/

United Press. “High Waters Force Many From Homes.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 1. Accessed 12-29-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-may-17-1933-p-1/

Waterloo Daily Courier, IA. “Ohio Flows Over Cincinnati Land for Second Time.” 5-15-1933, p. 1. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=98114489

[1] Unsure that one apparently electrocution death should be counted as flood-related. The note on his death simple states that he touched a live wire and fell into a creek.

[2] Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, p. 1.

[3] United Press. “High Waters Force Many From Homes.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 1.

[4] UP. “Central Indiana Flood Condition Is Dangerous.” Lake County Times, Hammond, IN. 5-12-1933, pp. 1, 12.

[5] Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, p. 1.

[6] Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1.

[7] United Press. “High Waters Force Many From Homes.” Pharos Tribune, Logansport, IN. 5-17-1933, p. 1.

[8] Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1.

[9] Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Two States Face Floods.” May 15, 1933, p. 1.

[10] Logansport Press, IN. “Floods, Winds Cause Damage Through State.” 5-14-1933, p. 1.

[11] Waterloo Courier, IA. “Ohio Flows Over Cincinnati…Second Time.” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

[12] Emporia Gazette, KS. “New Mississippi Flood…17 Dead in Wake.” May 16, 1933, 2.)

[13] Emporia Gazette, KS. “New Mississippi Flood…17 Dead in Wake.” May 16, 1933, 2.)

[14] Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood in Ohio Valley.” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

[15] Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood in Ohio Valley.” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

[16] Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood in Ohio Valley.” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

[17] Newark Advocate, OH. “Four Dead in Second Flood in Ohio Valley.” 5-15-1933, p. 1.

[18] Not sure this should be counted as a flood-related death.

1933 — May 12-17, Flooding, esp. OH, Wabash, White Rivers, esp. IA, IN, MO, OH –18-19