–34-37 Blanchard tally based on tally of State breakouts below.

— 33 NWS. Tropical Storm Alberto Heavy Rains and Flooding, [GA, AL, FL], July 1994, p.2.

— 33 Stamey. “Flooding in southeastern [US] from Tropical Storm Alberto, July 1994,” p.33.[1]

— 32 NCDC (Lott and Ross). 1994 Weather in the Southeast…July Flooding. 10-12-1994, p8.

— 30 Rappaport. Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Alberto, 30 June – 7 July 1994. P. 1.

Alabama ( 2)

— 2 NWS. Tropical Storm Alberto Heavy Rains and Flooding, [GA, AL, FL], July 1994, p. 2.

— 2 Rappaport (NHC). Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Alberto, 30 June – 7 July 1994. P.1.

— 1 July 8. AP. “Crews Go to Rescue of Georgia…Victims.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, 7-8-1994, 12.

— 0 NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database.[2]

Georgia (32-35)[3]

— 50 USFA/FEMA. Search and Rescue Ops. in Georgia During Major Floods…1994, 2.[4]

— 35 USFA/FEMA. Search and Rescue Ops. in California During Flooding 1995. 1996, p2.[5]

— 33 Golden Ink. Our Georgia History. “Tropical Storm Alberto.”[6] Accessed 5-13-2014.

— 32 CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality–Georgia, July 4-14, 1994.” MMWR, 7-29-1994, p526.[7]

–30 (Drowning) –2 (Vehicular accidents)

— 31 NWS. Tropical Storm Alberto Heavy Rains and Flooding, [GA, AL, FL], July 1994, p. 2.

— 31 AP (Jackie Hallifax). “Tropical Storm Slams Florida…” Seattle Times, 8-16-1994.

— 30 Blanchard tally of county breakouts below.

— 30 NCDC (Lott and Ross). 1994 Weather…July Flooding. 1994, p. 8.

— 28 AP. “Flood moves on Ga. town.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 7-12-1994, 3.

— 28 AP, Albany. “Clinton Tours Flooded Georgia, Offers Aid…” Seattle Times, 7-13-1994.

–~28 AP. “Sandbags…worries rise with Georgia floodwaters.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 8-31-1994.

— 28 Rappaport (NHC). Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Alberto, 30 June–7 July 1994. P1.

— 0 National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database.[8]

Breakout by Counties:

— 2 Bibb Co., Rocky Creek, July 5. Drownings; pickup swept away, pinned, man, woman.[9]

— 1 DeKalb County, July 5. Vehicular crash on rain-slicked road; male, 54.[10]

— 5 Dougherty County, Albany, Flint River. Drownings; refused “to leave when ordered.”[11]

— 2 “ Albany, Flint Riv., July 7. Drowning; car goes in river; boys, 2, 4.[12]

— 1 Fayette County, July 5. Drowning in creek while trying to secure a bridge; male, 40.[13]

— 2 Henry County, Tuoluga River. Drownings, rafting; teenage bodies found in debris pile.[14]

— 1 Houston County, near Elberta, found July 8. Drowning; male.[15]

— 1 Rockdale County, July 5. Drowning while walking dog; teen-age girl.[16]

— 2 Spaulding County. USFA. Search and Rescue Operations in Georgia…Floods…1994, 4.

–1 Spaulding Co., Griffin, July 5. Lost control of car at flooded intersection; female, 31.[17]

–15 Sumter County. AP (Elliott Minor). “As River Rises…” Seattle Times, 7-12-1994.[18]

–15 Sumter County. CDC.[19]

–15 Sumter County. (USFA. SAR Ops in GA, p. 10.)[20]

–13 Sumter County. Drownings; “washed away in their cars.”

— 2 “ Drownings; “trapped in a house on the uphill side of a railroad grade.”[21]

–12 Sumter County, Americus.[22]

— 9 Sumter County, Americus.[23]

— 1 Sumter County, Americus, found July 9. Drowning, teen-ager.[24]

CDC Table 1. “Flood-related deaths, by date of death, age and sex of decedent, and circumstances of death – Georgia, July 4-14, 1994.[25]

Date found Age (yrs) Sex Circumstances of death

July 5 40 M Swept into creek while trying to repair bridge

54 M Lost control of vehicle on wet roadway

31 F Drove onto washed-out road

24 F Pickup truck submerged in drain ditch

July 6 60 F Car swept into flooded creek

84 M Washed out of mobile home

35 M Pickup truck swept off road into flooded creek

8 M Pickup truck swept off road into flooded creek

16 M Pickup truck swept off road into flooded creek

42 M Swept out of car

40 M Tractor-trailer swept off road into flooded creek

12 M Tractor-trailer swept off road into flooded creek

28 F Swept out of car onto flooded road

20 F Swept out of car onto flooded road

67 F Swept away by swiftly moving waters

17 M Boat swept into flooded creek[26]

40 M Car swept off road into flooded creek

18 M Swept off inner tube into flooded creek

32 M Swept into flooded creek

35 M Swept out of car while in parking lot

16 F Swept away trying to rescue a dog

35 M Swept out of pickup truck onto flooded road

July 7 4 M Swept out of car into flooded river

2 M Swept out of car into flooded river

Unknown M Unknown

July 8 62 M Swept out of car as bridge washed out[27]

July 9 28 F Swept out of car onto flooded road

July 10 3 M Swept out of car onto flooded road

Narrative Information

CDC: “On July 3, 1994, tropical storm Alberto struck the Florida panhandle with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. On July 4, as the center of the storm deteriorated over Columbus, Georgia, a cold front pushed through Alabama and southwestern Georgia from the northwest, producing warm, moist air and unstable weather resulting in heavy, prolonged thunderstorms. Rainfall totals in some areas of south central Georgia were 12-15 inches during a 24-hour period; Americus, Georgia, recorded 24 inches on July 6 (W. Zaleski, National Weather Service, personal communication, 1994). Several rivers, cresting up to 20 feet above flood stage, inundated major portions of the state. Flood waters forced closure of 175 roads in 30 counties, and more than 100 dams and recreational watersheds were either damaged or destroyed. Forty-three (27%) of Georgia’s 159 counties were declared federal disaster areas, and seven additional counties were declared state disaster areas. This report summarizes preliminary findings of surveillance for deaths associated with the floods.” (CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality – Georgia, July 4-14, 1994.” MMWR, Vol. 43, No. 29, 7-29-1994, p. 526.)

Lott and Ross: “Severe flooding struck the southwest half of Georgia during the early to middle portion of July. The flooding was the result of the slow-moving, meandering remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto. Alberto entered the U.S. over the panhandle of Florida near Fort Walton Beach with maximum sustained winds of around 65 MPH… The highest storm surge was near Destin, FL with a height of about 5 feet. The storm moved slowly northward into southeast Alabama, and then into west-central Georgia. It then slowed to a crawl, even drifting southward and then westward for a time, producing rainfall amounts that exceeded 10 inches in many locations, with over 20 inches in a few spots…. As there were no reported tornadoes or significant wind damage, the severe damage was solely the result of extremely heavy rainfall.

“Flooding also affected some parts of the Florida panhandle and southeast Alabama. The flooding severely damaged or destroyed many homes, businesses, farms, highways, dams, and bridges, with damage estimates for the three affected states now placed at between $750 million and $1 billion….

“Georgia by some accounts experienced its worst flooding in modern times. An estimated 1700 roads and 600 bridges were forced out of service, and several towns were largely under water. Over 40,000 people were evacuated due to the rising waters, and about 12,000 homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged by the flooding. Thirty people were killed in Georgia and 2 were killed in Alabama–many of these vehicle-related. Approximately 11,500 Georgians applied for federal disaster assistance, as 55 counties in Georgia were declared disaster areas. Also, 13 counties in Florida and 10 counties in Alabama were declared disaster areas…$60 million in federal aid was approved for the flood-damaged areas….

“In Georgia alone, the flood waters covered an area the size of Massachusetts and Rhode Island combined. In Georgia, Alabama, and Florida combined, over 900,000 acres were under water at one time. Also, 300,000 Georgia residents were left without safe drinking water for periods ranging up to 3 weeks…. Over 100 dams were breached in Georgia, and Interstate 75 was covered with over 4 feet of water in places, forcing its closure for 60 hours. In Albany GA, the east and west parts of town were separated by the closing of 4 bridges for over a week. The Flint River at Albany overflowed as far as 3 miles from its normal river edge. Numerous coffins were forced from their cemetery plots by the water pressure….

“Americus GA recorded the heaviest amount [or rainfall] with 21.10 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 7 AM on July 6th. This far exceeded the estimated 100-year return period 24-hour rainfall of about 8.50 inches for this area. In fact, 15 of the deaths in Georgia occurred in Americus….” (Lott and Ross, 1994 Flooding, NCDC)

NCDC: “Remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto produced 23.00 to 29.00 inches of rain county wide. Americus received 27.85 inches between the 3rd and 7th of July, and Plains received 22.80 inches in the same time frame. Numerous roads were inundated with floodwater county-wide. In Leslie, standing water covered numerous roads. On Lake Corinth, a 17-year-old male died when his boat capsized while he was trying to restring telephone lines which had fallen. In Plains, heavy rains inundated several homes and businesses with flood waters. Three males died when their tractor-trailer was washed away on U.S Highway 280. In Americus, flood waters threatened 21,000 acres of peanuts and a lesser amount of cotton and corn. Eleven people were killed after floodwaters inundated streets, homes and businesses. Nine people died after their cars were washed off flooded roads. One fatality occurred after water crushed a home on Lake Jackson, and another occurred when flood waters washed away a mobile home.” (NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Details, Flood, Georgia, 05 Jul 1994.)

NCEP, NOAA: “…As an upper cyclone across the south central Gulf moved away into the southwest Gulf, outflow increased over the system, which became a tropical storm on the evening of the 1st. As it made landfall near Destin, Florida on the 3rd, it was a strong tropical storm as an eye was attempting to develop. By the evening of the 3rd, the cyclone weakened back into a tropical depression as it moved into southeast Alabama. Steering currents weakened, and Alberto slowed to a crawl across eastern Alabama and western Georgia for a
two day period. Torrential rains fell near the center of the still well-defined center. It eventually drifted off to the west-southwest, devolving into an open trough on the 7th….” (National Centers for Environmental Prediction, NOAA. Tropical Storm Alberto – June 30-July 8, 1994. No date.)

NWS, NOAA: “A decaying tropical system, previously known as Tropical Storm Alberto, produced torrential rainfall which resulted in some of the worst flooding ever observed across portions of the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida during July 1994. Alberto, the 1994 Atlantic Hurricane Season’s first named tropical system, came ashore near the Florida Panhandle town of Destin at about 1500 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on July 3. The winds associated with the tropical storm caused only minor damage and no casualties, as maximum sustained winds of around 65 mph (55 knots) were briefly observed at the time of landfall. The highest storm surge was estimated at 5 feet near the point of landfall (Destin, Florida). No reports of tornadoes were confirmed in association with Alberto or its remnants.

“As the tropical storm’s winds rapidly diminished, attention was quickly and appropriately turned to the threat of heavy rainfall associated with the deep tropical moisture being transported by the remnants of Alberto. Indeed, over the course of the 4 days following landfall, the forward motion of the remnants of Alberto slowed and halted, only to loop back over the same area already traversed before finally dissipating. It was this meandering motion which resulted in record-breaking rainfall, including a storm total of over 27 inches at Americus, Georgia, more than 21 inches of which fell in a 24-hour period. The torrential rainfall led to exceptional flooding across central and western Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Five river basins were particularly hard hit…(1) the Flint River Basin in western Georgia, (2) the Ocmulgee River Basin in central Georgia, (3) the Chattahoochee River Basin along the Georgia-Alabama state line, (4) the Choctawhatchee River Basin in Alabama, and (5) the Apalachicola River Basin in Florida….

“The flooding took a significant toll on human life, as a total of 33 persons perished. Of that total, 31 deaths occurred in Georgia, while the other 2 occurred in Alabama. Many of the fatalities, as is typical with flood events, occurred as a result of flash flooding; and most occurred in vehicles. In addition, approximately 50,000 people were forced from their homes due to the flooding. More than 18,000 dwellings were damaged or destroyed by the floods, and nearly 12,000 people applied for emergency housing. In Macon, Georgia, the fresh water supply to nearly 160,000 people was disrupted when the water treatment plant, located along the banks of the Ocmulgee River, was flooded. Some residences were without fresh water for as long as 19 days. In addition, thousands of people and pieces of equipment were engaged in various flood-fighting efforts throughout the three-state area impacted by the flooding. Dozens of Federal, state, and local government agencies, private organizations, as well as various volunteer groups, were heavily involved in the massive mobilization of resources….” (NWS/NOAA. Natural Disaster Survey Reports. “Chapter 1. Background and Overview of the Event [Tropical Storm Alberto].” 11-3-2011 modification.)

Stamey abstract: “In July 1994, parts of central and southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the western panhandle of Florida were devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Alberto. Entire communities were inundated by flood waters as numerous streams reached peak stages and discharges far greater than previous floods in the Flint, Ocmulgee, and Choctawhatchee River basins. The flooding resulted in 33 deaths in towns and small communities along or near the overflowing streams. President Clinton declared 78 counties as Federal disaster areas: 55 in Georgia, 10 in Alabama, and 13 in Florida. The Flint River and Ocmulgee River basins in Georgia experienced floods that exceeded the 100-year recurrence interval discharge along almost their entire lengths. Travel was disrupted as railroad and highway bridges and culverts were overtopped and, in many cases, washed out. Total flood damages to public and private property were estimated at nearly $1 billion dollars….” (p. 33.)

USFA/FEMA: “During a three-week span in July 1994, the state of Georgia sustained its worst damage ever as the result of flooding. In addition to billions of dollars of property loss, more than 50 lives were lost, and thousands of homeowners were displaced for several weeks. Municipal services in several communities were severely disrupted, as rivers cut communities into several pieces and water supplies were contaminated. The flood was the direct result of the stalled Hurricane Alberto, which was later downgraded to a tropical storm. The storm stalled on-shore for more than a week, with its low center hanging over the middle of the state, between Albany and Macon.” (USFA. Search and Rescue Ops. in GA During Major Floods. 1996, p.1)

Sources

Associated Press (Palmetto, GA). “6 dead, hundreds evacuated in Georgia floods.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, 7-6-1994, A6. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=108557572&sterm

Associated Press (Elliott Minor, Bainbridge, Ga.). “As River Rises, Impact of Flood in Georgia is Starting to Sink In.” ” Seattle Times, 7-12-1994. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940713&slug=1920193

Associated Press, Joan Kirchner, Albany, Ga. “Breach in dam spills more water into river.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 7-10-1994, p. A-4. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110356570&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press, Albany, Ga. “Clinton Tours Flooded Georgia, Offers Aid — $60 Million in Relief Targeted For 3 States.” Seattle Times, 7-13-1994. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940713&slug=1920188

Associated Press (Albany, Ga.). “Crews Go to Rescue of Georgia Flood Victims.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 7-8-1994, p. 12. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=83131336&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press (Americus, Ga.). “Death toll in Georgia flooding is now 15.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 7-7-1994, p. 9.

Associated Press (Elliott Minor, Americus, GA). “Death toll rises to 18 in Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 7-7-1994, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=111992069&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press (Bainbridge, Ga.). “Flood moves on Ga. town.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 7-12-1994, 3. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30053629&sterm

Associated Press (Joan Kirchner, Albany, Ga.). “Flood toll mounts in South; 20 dead by Friday as more storms threaten.” Sandusky Register, OH. 7-9-1994. p. A-3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=229015282&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press (Sharon Cohen, Americus, Ga.). “Flooded Georgia town now must cope with losses.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 7-19-1994, p. A-4. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110356570&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press (Palmetto, Ga.). “Rains force flight.” Joplin Globe, MO, 7-6-1994, p. 9A. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=230486166&sterm=tropical+storm

Associated Press. “Rain wrecks havoc in state of Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 70601994, p. 6. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110356524&sterm

Associated Press (Bainbridge, Ga.). “Sandbags and worries rise with Georgia floodwaters.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 8-31-1994. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=115227645&sterm

Associated Press (Macon, Ga.). “Storm leaves 13 dead.” Daily Times, Farmington, NM, 7-7-1994, A2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=209171779&sterm=tropical

Associated Press (Jackie Hallifax, Tallahassee, Fla.). “Tropical Storm Slams Florida – Rains May Bring More Flooding to Georgia.” Seattle Times, 8-16-1994. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940816&slug=1925647

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Flood-Related Mortality – Georgia, July 4-14, 1994.” MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), Vol. 43, No. 29, 7-29-1994, pp. 526-530. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00032058.htm

Golden Ink. Our Georgia History. “Tropical Storm Alberto.” Accessed 5-13-2014 at: http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/ogh/Tropical_Storm_Alberto

Macon Telegraph (Mara Shalhoup). “Americus makes most of disaster.” 1999. Accessed 5-29-2014 at: http://www.macon-bibb.com/Sierra/flood94/americus0708.htm

National Centers for Environmental Prediction, NOAA. Tropical Storm Alberto – June 30-July 8, 1994. No date. Accessed 5-13-2014: http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/alberto1994.html

National Climatic Data Center (Neal Lott and Tom Ross), NOAA. 1994 Weather in the Southeast – The February Ice Storm and the July Flooding (Technical Report 94-03). Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce, October 12, 1994, 23 pages. Accessed at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/techrpts/tr9403/tr9403.pdf

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All Counties in Georgia. All Event Types between 07/04/1994 and 07/15/1994. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=ALL&beginDate_mm=07&beginDate_dd=04&beginDate_yyyy=1994&endDate_mm=07&endDate_dd=15&endDate_yyyy=1994&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=13%2CGEORGIA

National Weather Service, NOAA. Natural Disaster Survey Reports. “Chapter 1. Background and Overview of the Event [Tropical Storm Alberto].” Silver Spring, MD: Office of Hydrologic Development, NWS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. 11-3-2011 modification. Accessed 5-13-2014 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hrl/surveys/alberto/chapter1.htm

National Weather Service, NOAA. Tropical Storm Alberto Heavy Rains and Flooding, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, July 1994 (Natural Disaster Survey Report). Silver Spring, MD: NWS, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. December 1995. Accessed 5-28-1994 at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CZIC-qc945-t76-1995/html/CZIC-qc945-t76-1995.htm

Rappaport, Edward N. Preliminary Report. Tropical Storm Alberto, 30 June – 7 July 1994. Miami, FL: National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 12-7-1994 update. Accessed 5-28-2014 at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1994-prelim/alberto/prelim01.gif

Stamey, Timothy C. (USGS). “Flooding in southeastern United States from Tropical Storm Alberto, July 1994,” pp. 33-38 in Destructive Water: Water-Caused Natural Disasters, their Abatement and Control (Proceedings of the Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment, Anaheim, CA, June 24-28, 1996); edited by George H. Leavesley (USGS), et al. Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK: International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS Pub. No. 239), 1997. Google digitized. Accessed 9-25-2016 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=8nbLGQw5fckC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=true

United States Fire Administration, FEMA. Search and Rescue Operations in California During Flooding January to March, 1995. Emmitsburg, MD: USFA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-163e.pdf

United States Fire Administration. Search and Rescue Operations in Georgia During Major Floods July 1994 (Technical Rescue Incident Report). Emmitsburg, MD: USFA/FEMA, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-163d.pdf

Additional Reading:

Macon Telegraph, Tallahassee Democrat, and Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Deluge!: Flood of ’94. Kansas City, MO: Andrews and McMeel, 1994.

[1] In: Destructive Water: Water-Caused Natural Disasters, their Abatement and Control (Proceedings of the Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment in Anaheim, CA, June 24-28, 1996).

[2] Search Results for All Counties in Alabama. All

[3] We know from the CDC that there were at least 32 deaths. We have one source citing 33 and another 35. There were still several missing people in reports extending into August. It is conceivable that there were additional deaths.

[4] “During a three-week span in July 1994, the state of Georgia sustained its worst damage ever as the result of flooding. In addition to billions of dollars of property loss, more than 50 lives were lost, and thousands of homeowners were displaced for several weeks.” We are not using this figure, however, in that it significantly exceeds all other sources. The document narrative notes 2 fatalities in Spalding Co., 2 (Henry) 5 in Albany (Dougherty Co.) and 15 in Americus (Sumter Co.), for a total of 24. It does not note the 2 in Bibb, 1 in DeKalb, 1 in Fayette, 1 in Houston, or 1 in Rockdale. If these were added the total would be 30. It is possible that the figure of 50 is a typo and was meant to be 30.

[5] “There were six deaths during the flood of January 1995 in California – contrasted with comparable rainfall in Georgia during a like period (about eight days in July of 1994) that lead to 35 deaths.”

[6] “By the time the storm and the flooding were over a total of 33 Georgians were dead.” No source citations.

[7] “To assess mortality associated with flooding, CDC obtained epidemiologic information from medical examiners and coroners (ME/Cs) in 48 of the 50 counties declared disaster areas and in two counties adjacent to disaster areas. ME/Cs were asked about the number of deaths in their counties attributable to flooding during July 4-14 and for information about the circumstances of each death. A flood-related death was defined as a death that resulted from the floods during July 4-14, as determined by the ME/C in each county.”

[8] Search Results for All Counties in Georgia. All Available Event Types between 07/04/1994 and 07/15/1994.

[9] “A man and a woman died in Bibb County when the swollen Rocky Creek swept away their pickup and pinned it under a bridge abutment. Witnesses said there may have been a child in the truck.” (Associated Press. “Rain wrecks havoc in state of Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 7-6-1994, p. 6.)

[10] Associated Press. “Rain wrecks havoc in state of Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 7-6-1994, p. 6. The age is from the CDC which appears to be in reference to this death “Lost control of vehicle on wet roadway.”

[11] USFA/FEMA. Search and Rescue Operations in Georgia During Major Floods July 1994. p. 8.

[12] AP (Albany, Ga.). “Crews Go to Rescue of Georgia Flood Victims.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 7-8-1994, p. 12. We have pieced together information from this article and from the CDC report.

[13] CDC; Associated Press. “Rain wrecks havoc in state of Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 7-6-1994, p. 6.

[14] USFA/FEMA. Search and Rescue Operations in Georgia During Major Floods July 1994. p. 4.

[15] AP (Albany, Ga.). “Crews Go to Rescue of Georgia Flood Victims.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 7-8-1994, p. 12.

[16] Associated Press. “Rain wrecks havoc in state of Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 7-6-1994, p. 6.

[17] Victim identified as Teresa Beyah. AP (Palmetto, GA). “Rains force flight.” Joplin Globe, MO, 7-6-1994, p. 9A.

[18] “…in Americus, Fire Chief Steve Moreno attributed 15 of the deaths to a series of unregulated earthen dams that broke last week. ‘The torrent of water coming down from these broken dams completely overran our creeks and created walls of water coming down right through town…It really caught everyone unexpectedly…We had people walking, on bridges, in cars on roads, and these roaring torrents just swept them all away. It was horrible.’”

[19] “…local officials attributed approximately 50% of these deaths to the rupture of seven to nine small earthen dams in the county. Waters from the dams inundated surrounding creeks, sweeping away many…who died.”

[20] AP report writes that “Seven drowning victims – all adults – were brought into the Sumter County Regional Hospital in Americus on Wednesday [July 6]. The victims were trapped in cars or homes by floodwaters or mud slides, authorities said.” (AP (Macon, Ga.). “Storm leaves 13 dead.” Daily Times, Farmington, NM, 7-7-1994, A2.

[21] USFA/FEMA. Search and Rescue Operations in Georgia During Major Floods July 1994. p. 10.

[22] “The death toll from the floods in south and central Georgia rose with the discovery of five more bodies in Americus. Seven people were swallowed by floodwaters Wednesday [July 6] near the town, which got 23 inches of rain within 24 hours. Four other people were missing..” (AP, Elliott Minor, Americus, Ga. “Death toll rises to 18 in Georgia.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 7-7-1994, p. 1.) According to Macon Telegraph story by Mara Shalhoup (“Americus makes most of disaster.”), 14 of the town’s 15 flood victims died on July 6.

[23] “Nine of he dead were found in Americus in southeast Georgia. Seven bodies were found Wednesday [July 6], and two more were found overnight, Sumter County Coroner Lynwood McClung said today. He said five other people were missing…In the town,, helpless bystanders watched a screaming woman clutching a baby slip into the rumbling Town Creek. The bridge had just washed out, and the woman stood atop her car as it slowly slid down the bank. The woman and her child were among the missing…a man in [a] car also was swept away.” (AP (Americus, Ga.). “Death toll in Georgia flooding is now 15.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 7-7-1994, p. 9.)

[24] “The state’s death toll from the six-day deluge reached 24 Saturday [July 9] with the discovery of a teen-ager’s body in Americus, Ga.” (AP, Joan Kirchner, Albany, Ga. “Breach in dam spills more water into river.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 7-10-1994, p. A-4.)

[25] Note: “Because some decedents were not found until after high waters subsided, it was sometimes difficult to verify the exact date and time of death; therefore, all dates reflect the day on which the decedent was found.”

[26] Probably a reference to an Americus, GA death in that this is the only note of a death of a 17-year-old. AP article (Sharon Cohen, Americus, Ga.) notes the death of a 17-year-old varsity football player in Americus.

[27] Possibly a reference to William Miller of Tifton. An AP article (Joan Kirchner, Albany, Ga.), in a July 9 paper writes that his body, missing since Tuesday [July 5] “was found today.” “He and his wife…were driving their on a state road when their car was swept into the Towaliga River, 150 miles north of Albany. Mrs. Miller clung to a tree for nine hours until she was rescued, but her husband vanished in the roiling waterway.”

1994 — July 4-10, Tropical Storm Alberto Flooding and Dam Failures, AL, esp. GA –34-37