1949 – June 17-18, flash flooding, North, Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers, VA & WV–11-12
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard Apr 26, Sep 5-6, 2023 for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
11-12 Blanchard range. Though our own tally indicates twelve deaths, we have found the
Environmental Data Service a reliable source, and their death toll is 11.
–12 Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.
–11 Environmental Data Service. “Losses in Individual Severe Floods…[US] since July 1902.”
— 9 AP. “Known Flood Toll 9; Damage Set in Millions.” Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV, 6-20-1949, p1.
— 8 AP. “Upstate Flood Cleanup Begins.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 6-22-1949, p. 1.
–8 Deaths
–4 “…missing and presumed dead.”
Virginia (3)
–3 North Riv. ~Bridgewater. AP. “Victim of Flood is Found…” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-26-1949, p. 1.
–1 Mrs. C. R. Bowman
–1 Mrs. Margaret Bricker
–1 Frances Bricker, son of Margaret
West Virginia (9)
— 9 AP. “‘Flash Flood Hits Petersburg; Nine Missing.” Charleston Daily Mail, WV, 6-18-1949, 1.
—>9 AP. “Water Up Again in Upstate Area.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-29-1949, p. 14.
— 6 AP. “Six Dead, 20 Missing In Flood at Petersburg.” Charleston Gazette, WV, 6-19-1949, p1.[1]
Breakout of West Virginia flash flooding fatalities by locality:
–2 Petersburg area, North River. State Police Cpl. A. M. Hurst and son, Ronald Robert, 12.[2]
–3 Petersburg area. Flash flood overturns car; Winston V. Beckwith, 2, Leota Redmond, 16, Nata Walker, 18.
–1 Petersburg. Man identified only as ‘Moats,’ sixth body recovered.[3]
–2 Petersburg area. Cecil L. Lefever, about 50, and wife, Laura Motas Lefever.”[4]
Narrative Information
National Weather Service. Flood Event of 6/17/1949 – 6/20/1949. Potomac Shenandoah,
Weather Summary
“June 1949: Severe flash flooding struck the southern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and Potomac Highlands of West Virginia in June 1949. High pressure over New England combined with a tropical low near Georgia to set up a flow of moist, tropical air from the Virginia Coast westward against the east slopes of the Appalachians.
“As the air lifted along the mountain slopes, rain began. Flood-producing rains occurred from mid-day on the 17th into the morning of the 18th while the tropical low moved from the North Carolina Coast to southern Virginia. In Virginia, the heaviest rain fell in the Bridgewater-Stokesville area of Rockingham and Augusta Counties. Witness’s say that rain fell in sustained torrents from midafternoon to past midnight. Car headlights could not penetrate the rain more than 5 feet.
“At the North River Dam Station nearly 10 inches of rain was recorded over three days with 7.75 inches of it falling in a 24 hour period beginning the morning of the 17th. However, much greater rainfall amounts fell in the hardest hit area. Rainfall was so great in the upper reaches of the Little River that it caused large landslides on the steep slopes. The North River and its tributaries above the mouth of the Dry River were all at record breaking stages. Interviews (by the Division of Water Resources) with the oldest inhabitants established that this flood was higher than the 1877 flood.
“The USGS gage on the North River near Burketown (downstream from Bidgewater) indicated a
crest of 36.3 feet, about 4 feet higher than the October 1942 flood crest. A preliminary report by the Weather Bureau read as follows: Stokesville, Va., where heavy damage occurred, is located just below the confluence of the Little River and the North River. It received the combined flow of both streams, which apparently peaked at about the same time. From eyewitnesses’ accounts, this combined flow made such a sudden rise that it gave the effect of a “wall of water” traveling down the channel and causing extreme damage all the way to Bridgewater. The path of the high-intensity rainfall also included the headwaters of Briery Branch, causing a great flood on this stream. The town of Bridgewater, Va., received the flood waters from the combined North River — Little River — Briery Branch drainage areas, apparently with their peak flows nearly simultaneous. The Stokesville area is a community of 76 families. This area saw 14 homes destroyed, 29 homes damaged…”
Newspapers
June 18, AP, WV: “Petersburg, W. Va. (AP) – Probable heavy loss of life was feared Saturday [June 18] as flash floods swept this valley region of the Potomac river basin. Among the missing was a state police corporal and his family. Early reports said at least five other persons were feared lost. Thousands were reported homeless in the area, and rains continued to fall, dispelling hopes of immediate abatement of the flood situation.
“State Police Capt. C. E. Wright said at Elkins that his office had been unable to locate any trace of Cpl. A. M. Hurst or his wife and two children. The captain said it was discovered about 2 a.m. that Hurst’s home along the river bank near Petersburg had been swept away. Since then, no trace had been found of any of the Hurst family, their house or their automobile, Wright reported.
“Wright said the state police had tried unsuccessfully to fly troopers into the stricken area, and now they were being taken as near as possible, then allowed to walk into the flood zone. The officer said he was informed the situation was ‘pretty bad’ in the Petersburg area, and it was impossible to speculate at this time on the probable loss of life. Wright said that Hurst and his family were occupying a summer camp on the South Branch river, and because of their inability to find a permanent residence, the camp had been serving as their temporary house. Hurst is commanding officer of the Petersburg detachment with one other officer, Trooper L. H. Lewis, attached to the post. Wright said he was informed the frame building disintegrated before the onrushing flood waters of the Potomac tributary and was swept away….The town of Petersburg was isolated and the captain reported that a flood emergency was developing. Information was received on the state police radio, he added, that it was again ‘raining hard’ in the area.
“Wright emphasized that ‘we have not been able to confirm any deaths but said all sorts of reports of missing persons were being investigated, although the work was proceeding very slowly.
“The crest of the flood, which struck Friday night [June 17] after torrential rains, rolled on northeast towards Romney, W. Va. And Cumberland, Md.
“Police said there were ‘unconfirmed reports’ that 10 persons were missing in the Petersburg-Moorefield, W.Va. area….
“Downpours Friday drove the Potomac river’s north and south branches out of their banks, isolating entire communities and sweeping away smaller dwellings. Police said there was 4½ inches of rain in 24 hours….” (Associated Press. “‘Flash’ Flood Hits Petersburg; Nine Missing.” Charleston Daily Mail, WV, 6-18-1949, p. 1.)
June 18, AP, WV: “Petersburg, June 18. – (AP) – New rains brought fresh threats of disaster tonight to the flooded Shenandoah-Potomac valley lowlands. At least six persons already had perished in the raging waters and another 20 were missing.
“The latest downpour led state police to predict branches of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers – which first rushed over their banks last night – would reach higher crests tonight in North Virginia and West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. Among those listed as dead was two-year-old Winston V. Beckwith, whose half-sister told state police she saw the boy and two others swept away by cascading water which had overturned their automobile. Mrs. John Gaither said she and her husband were driving with the infant and two girls near Petersburg, about 55 miles south of Cumberland, Md. They identified the other young victims as Leota Redmond, 16, and Nata Walker 18. All lived in Petersburg. The Gaithers themselves were spared when a flyer spotted them after they had spent more than 12 hours with muddy waters swirling about them.
“Also dead were Cpl. A. M. Hurst of the West Virginia state police and Mrs. Margaret Frances Bricker of Mount Crawford, Va. A sixth victim was listed by police as a man named ‘Moats’ from Petersburg. Fellow troopers came upon Hurst’s body some 500 yards from the foundation of his crumbled home at Petersburg. His son was among the missing.
‘Clyde Shanholtzer, Red Cross chapter chairman of Hardy county, said 18 persons had been reported missing in the Petersburg-Moorefield area alone. Moorefield is about 12 miles northeast of hear, and neither town has a population of more than 3,000….” (Associated Press. “Six Dead, 20 Missing In Flood at Petersburg.” Charleston Gazette, WV. 6-19-1949, p. 1.)
June 19, AP. VA: “Bridgewater, Va. (AP) – urging flood waters from two rain-swollen rivers flashed through this northern Virginia town early Saturday [18th] leaving one person dead and at least three missing. A 15-foot crest, which struck shortly after midnight, cascaded through the heart of the town, buckling houses, trees, and power lines as it went. Families, routed out of their homes, were marooned on rooftops or in trees before they could wade to safety. The body of Mrs. Margaret Frances Bricker was found late Saturday at Mount Crawford, a hamlet three miles east of here. She had been drowned….” (Associated Press. “Death, Damage Caused By Flash Flood.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-19-1949, pp. 1-2.)
June 19, AP: “Petersburg, W. Va., June 19 (AP) – The twin towns of Petersburg and Moorefield watched flood waters gradually subside today, and began a grim search through the glue-like silt for their dead and missing. Two bodies already have been recovered. Four others are presumed dead. Eight more still are unaccounted for.
“The Petersburg Valley girded for another flash flood early this morning, based on reports of a second series of cloudbursts in the headwaters of the Potomac river….
“The two bodies recovered were those of Cpl. Hurst of the West Virginia state police and his 12-year-old son, Ronald Robert. TA third person, Paul Meek, of Lorain county, Hurst’s brother-in-law was trapped in the Hurst home with them, but struggled to high ground before the house crumpled. Meek said Hurst could swim but he would not leave because his son wasn’t able to handle himself in the water.
“Three persons believed dead, but whose bodies have not been recovered, were identified by state police as:
Leota Redmond, 16,
Nata Walker, 18; and
Winston V. Beckwith, 2, all passengers in a car with Mr. and Mrs. John Gaither of
Petersburg….”
(Assoc. Press. “6 Dead; 8 Lost as Flood Ebbs.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-20-1949, p. 1.)
June 20, AP: “By The Associated Press
“Petersburg – Health authorities moved into the flood stricken Shenandoah and Potomac river valleys today to avert any possible threat of typhoid from polluted water. The danger of disease was the aftermath of flash floods that struck in Petersburg and Moorefield, W.Va., and Bridgewater, Va., over the week-end killing at least nine persons. Still unaccounted for were about a dozen others in the area. Officials directing the operations said, however, that they might still be alive but unable to communicate with rescuers. Sheriff C. L. Platt said damage from the flood may run into several millions. James Breathed, local Red Cross disaster chairman, said only about 15 persons are actually homeless, but that some 300 are depending on the Red Cross food kitchen for meals….” (Associated Press. “Known Flood Toll 9; Damage Set in Millions.” Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV, 6-20-1949, p.1.)
June 21, Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA: “With an uprooted tree on the Petersburg-Moorefield bridge, its approach washed out and other highways flooded, the city of Petersburg, W. Va., is cut off by flood waters. Eight were known dead and 25 missing in the Potomac river flood of the Shenandoah and Potomac valleys.” (Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “Fierce Potomac Flood.” 6-21-1949, p. 2.)
June 21, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV: “A former Bluefielder and his wife are two of the eight known dead who lost their lives in the recent flash flood at Petersburg, W. Va., Trooper E. O. Burner of the Princeton detachment, reported last night. Trooper Burner said the couple was identified as Cecil L. Lefever, about 50, and his wife, Laura Motas Lefever, however police have been unable in locating the relatives of the couple….It was reported that Mr. Lever was originally from Bluefield and his wife from the Northern part of the state.
“In an Associated Press report last night fear was also express that the three children of the couple also have been drowned.[5]….” (Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Ex-Bluefielder Listed Among Flood Victims.” 6-21-1949, p. 1.)
June 22, AP: “Washington (AP) – The reconstruction finance corporation today declared the flood-stricken Shenandoah and Potomac river valleys in Virginia and West Virginia to be disaster areas.” (Associated Press. “Disaster Areas.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-22-1949, p. 8.)
June 26, AP, VA: “Bridgewater, Va. (AP) – The body of young Frances Bricker, drowned a week ago when a flash flood struck this college town, was found Saturday [June 25] buried in mud and silt on the shores of North river. Thus the last of the flood’s three victims was accounted or. Frances’ mother, Mrs. Margaret Bricker, and Mrs. C. R. Bowman previously had been found dead….The body lay some 20 yards from the river and not far from the tree to which Frances’ 12-year-old sister, Betty Bricker, had clung for 12 hours after the flood, until she was rescued.” (AP. “Victim of Flood is Found Buried Upon River Bank.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-26-1949, p. 1.)
June 28, AP, WV: “Petersburg, W.Va., June 28 (AP) – Heavy rains caused creeks in the area to overflow today, sending about seven inches of water into the southern part of the town. The downpour stopped early tonight, state police said, and the water started to recede, apparently removing the threat of additional damage to this already hard-hit community. A disastrous flash flood killed at least nine persons in this area of the Potomac river valley less than two weeks ago….” (AP. “Water Up Again in Upstate Area.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-29-1949, p. 14.)
Sources
Associated Press. “6 Dead; 8 Lost as Flood Ebbs.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-20-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jun-20-1949-p-2/
Associated Press. “Death, Damage Caused By Flash Flood.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-19-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jun-19-1949-p-1/
Associated Press. “Disaster Areas.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-22-1949, p. 8. Accessed 9-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jun-22-1949-p-8/
Associated Press. “‘Flash’ Flood Hits Petersburg; Nine Missing.” Charleston Daily Mail, WV, 6-18-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-jun-18-1949-p-1/
Associated Press. “Known Flood Toll 9; Damage Set in Millions.” Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV, 6-20-1949, p.1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-raleigh-register-jun-20-1949-p-3/
Associated Press. “Six Dead, 20 Missing In Flood at Petersburg.” Charleston Gazette, WV. 6-19-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-gazette-jun-19-1949-p-1/
Associated Press. “Upstate Flood Cleanup Begins.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 6-22-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jun-22-1949-p-1/
Associated Press. “Victim of Flood is Found Buried Upon River Bank.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 6-26-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-5-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jun-26-1949-p-1/
Associated Press. “Water Up Again in Upstate Area.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-29-1949, p. 14. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jun-29-1949-p-27/
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Ex-Bluefielder Listed Among Flood Victims.” 6-21-1949, p. 1. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jun-21-1949-p-1/
Environmental Data Service, NOAA. “Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States since July 1902.” Climatological Data National Summary (Annual) Vol. 22. No. 13, 1971. Accessed 4-26-2023 at:
Find a Grave. “Laura Ann Bodkin Lefever.” Webpage created by Diane Flanagan, 10-24-2015 and maintained by William Harrison. Accessed 9-6-2023 at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154174495/laura-ann-lefever
National Weather Service. Flood Event of 6/17/1949 – 6/20/1949 (webpage). “Potomac…. Shenandoah….” Accessed 9-5-2023 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/marfc/Flood_Events_2016/1949/Jun29%2C1949.pdf
Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “Fierce Potomac Flood.” 6-21-1949, p. 2. Accessed 9-5-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jun-21-1949-p-2/
[1] The six are known deaths. Not listed is the wife of Cp. Hurst nor his two children.
[2] Associated Press. “6 Dead; 8 Lost as Flood Ebbs.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 6-20-1949, p. 1.
[3] Associated Press. “Six Dead, 20 Missing In Flood at Petersburg.” Charleston Gazette, WV. 6-19-1949, p. 1.
[4] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Ex-Bluefielder Listed Among Flood Victims.” 6-21-1949, p. 1.
[5] A Find a Grave webpage – “Laura Ann Bodkin Lefever,” notes she died on 6-7-1949, age 45, leaving five children from three marriages, none of whom died in 1949.
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