13–26-33

lornajarrettblanchard March 1, 1963

— 32 Blanchard tally from State and locality breakouts below (direct and indirect fatalities).*
— 26 EDS, NOAA. Climatological Data National Summary. V.22, N.13, Annual 1971, p.792.
— 26 Geological Survey. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963. 1968, p. B1.
–>20 UPI. “Gusty Storm in Great Plains; Showers Enroute.” Weirton Daily Times, WV. 3-16-1963, p. 1.
— 17 Williamson Daily News, WV. “Flood of 1963 brought construction of R.D. Bailey Dam.” 3-10-2021.
— 15 UPI/New York Times. “Ohio River Floods Cause 15 Deaths.” 3-7-1963, p. 5.
— 13 AP. “Big Sandy, Cumberland Continue Flood Rampage.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-14-63, 1.
— 11 Assoc. Press. “11 Deaths Linked to U.S. Flooding.” Beckley Post-Herald, WV. 3-7-1963, 1.

*Blanchard note: We suspect that the EDS/NOAA and USGS numbers (26) did not include indirect deaths which we include, such as several heart attacks while moving goods out of the path of floodwater or pumping water out of a flooded basement, etc., or the train hitting a landslide in KY.

Summary of Flooding Related Fatalities by State

Alabama ( 1)
Indiana ( 5)
Kentucky ( 1)
Ohio ( 2)
Pennsylvania ( 1)
Tennessee ( 4)
Virginia ( 6)
West Virginia (13)
33

Breakout of Flooding Related Fatalities by State (and locality, where noted):

Alabama (1)
–1 AP. “Big Sandy, Cumberland Continue Flood Rampage.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-14-63, p1.

Indiana (5)
–2 Mar 4-7 flooding. USGS. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963. 1968, B56.
–3 Mar 15, New Albany area. Drownings; boat rescuing flood victim hits submerged fence, capsizes.

Kentucky (1)
–1 Pikeville area. Train hits rain-induced landslide, plunged into river, killing the fireman.

Ohio (2)
–1 Cambridge area, 4th. Drowning; car strands in flood water, unidentified driver tried to walk away.
–1 Martinsville area, East Fork, Little Miami River, 4th. Drowning; car driven into flood water.

Pennsylvania (1)
–1 Pittsburgh, March 4. Drowning; barge worker Clarence Doster, fell into Allegheny River.

Tennessee (4)
–4 AP. “Flood Cleanup Started Over Most of State.” Kingsport Times, TN. 3-14-1963, p. 14.

Virginia (6)
–6 UPI. “Gusty Storm in Great Plains; Showers Enroute.” Weirton Daily Times, WV. 3-16-63, 1.
–3 Jackson River, near Covington VA and WV border. Three canoers on river.
–2 James River. “…two boys disappeared in the swollen James River while on a canoe ride.”
–1 Specific river not noted. One of six others “drowned in…joy rides on flooded streams.

West Virginia (13)
–13 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 5 Geological Survey. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963. 1968, p. B52.
Breakout of West Virginia flooding-related fatalities by locality:
–1 Buckhannon, Upshur Co., 19th. R.C. Kidd, 70, collapsed/drowned investigating flooded basement.
–1 Bud, Wyoming County. Heart attack pumping water from home basement; Emmett Eastridge.
–2 Gassaway area, Little Otter Creek, 17th. Drownings; car goes into creek; Dennis and Dale Friend.
–1 Hastings area, Wetzel Co., 5th. Drowning; car stalled by water in Fishing Creek; Clark Higgins, 63.
–3 Logan Co. Williamson Daily News, WV. “Flood of 1963 brought construction of R.D. Bailey Dam.” 3-10-2021.
–1 Logan, Mt. Gay area, 12th. Drowning; body of Andrew Roberson, ~65, found in home.
–1 Logan, Peach Creek area. Heart attack while helping evacuate people from homes.
–1 Panther, McDowell Co. 12th. Drowning; tried to jump from broken bridge to bank; Ed Bailey.
–1 Terra Alta, Preston Co., 5th. Drowning; log footbridge over flooded creek collapsed; David Mullenax, 7.
–1 Warriormines, McDowell Co., 12th. Drowning; James Edward Dunford, 24, fell into War Creek.
–1 Wheeling, Ohio Co., 5th. Drowning; rescue boat upset; Maureen Peterson, 4 months old.
–1 Williamson area, Mingo Co. Heart attack moving equipment out of path of rising water.

Narrative Information

US Geological Survey: “Widespread disastrous floods struck the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains from Alabama to West Virginia and Ohio as a result of three storms
moving over the area during March 4-19. Precipitation during the first storm period, March 4-6, caused some major stream overflows and produced conditions favorable for high runoff from subsequent rainfall. Heavy rainfall on March 11-13 produced record-breaking floods on many streams in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Noteworthy floods occurred in the bordering States of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio. The third storm on March 16-19 was .significant because it prolonged the period of flooding and produced high-volume runoff in some areas. Twenty-six lives were lost, and more than 30,000 persons were forced from their homes. Damage to highways, railroads municipal and private property amounted to approximately $98 million.” (Geological Survey. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963. 1968, B1.)

“Floods of March From Alabama To West Virginia and Ohio”

“A succession of three storms associated with low pressure systems moved northeastward from northern Alabama to West Virginia and Ohio during the period March 4-19…

“On March 5-6, from 2 to 3 inches of rain fell over most of the area and up to 6 inches fell in widely scattered areas. On March 11-12 the second storm, accompanied by high winds and scattered tornadoes, moved over the area. Some parts were deluged with 5 to 6 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. The third storm on March 16-19 produced up to 4 inches of rain over the Cumberland River basin and the upper Ohio River basin.

“The three storms produce widespread, prolonged, and disastrous floods in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. The first storm (March 5-6) produced record-breaking floods in a few streams draining the western slopes of the Great Smoky Mountains and in southern Ohio. The first storm also primed the entire area for the second storm (March 11-12), which produced record-breaking floods in the upper Cumberland River basin in Kentucky; in the Tennessee River basin tributaries in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama; in the Guyandotte River in West Virginia; and in the Big Sandy River tributaries in West Virginia and Kentucky. The period of flooding following the third storm on March 17 was prolonged on many streams in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia…

(Geological Survey. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963. 1968, pp. B1, B28

Newspapers

March 5, Associated Press: “Hundreds of persons from four states – Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania – have been forced from their homes by flood-waters after drenching rains and melting snows. More rain splashed across wide areas in the flood-stricken areas. Rain also continued in many other parts of the eastern half of the nation, with more snow in Northern and Western sections.

“Ohio reported the state’s worst flood conditions in four years. Hundreds of persons were evacuated from their homes, and scores of families were marooned. With more rain predicted, the Weather Bureau in Cincinnati said the Ohio River appeared likely to be bank-full along its 981-mile route….An emergency was declared in Newark, a central Ohio town of 30,000, as the Licking River and tributaries neared flood stage. Fifty families were marooned in Newtown near Steubenville and boats were sent to the town by special train…

“More than 100 families in residential sections of Wheeling, W.Va., a city of about 57,000 persons were reported forced to leave their homes from Vienna, south of Wheeling. Flooding also was reported in Wellsburg, McKinleyville and Moundsville while the small town of Louie was reported isolated by the floodwaters. High water forced the closing of a Wheeling machine products plant employing about 600 men. Streams in many other areas in West Virginia were overflowing….” (Associated Press. “Four-State Area Is Hit By Floods.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. 3-5-1963, p. 1.)

March 5, Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA: “Flooding took a heavy toll in this district today, washing out roads and forcing scores of residents in low-lying sections to evacuate their homes. The Monongahela River rose rapidly. Tributary streams, including Redstone Creek and Dunlaps Creek, caused flash-floods last night, blocking several roads and sending water into houses and business places. Many of these flash-floods had subsided this morning, but sections along the Monongahela faced further inundation. In Greene County, veteran observers called it the worst flood in 23 years. Homes in Point Marion were evacuated late this morning as water backed up in sewer lines from the Monongahela River. Late this morning there were no reports of persons injured.

“The Cheat River in the Point Marion area was nine feet above its normal level at 9 o’clock this morning and observers said the level was rising at a fast rate. Ire Chief Arthur Miller in Point Marion said his men were out since 5 o’clock this morning and had all their boats in use as some 39 families had to be evacuated from the Water St. area. Water in the homes had flooded basements and reached the first-floor level.

“All roads leading to the West Penn Power Co. dam at Lake Lynn were flooded and workers this morning couldn’t get to their jobs, causing night employes to remain for duty through the late morning hours….” (Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “District Hit By Floods.” 3-5-1963, p. 1.)

March 6, UPI/NYT: “Chicago, March 6 (UPI) – Ice-gorged flood waters besieged new cities in four Ohio Valley states today and threatened fresh onslaughts in Kentucky and South Carolina. At least 15 deaths have been reported and nearly 4,000 persons have been driven from their homes. The floods were ebbing in some area, but waters were rising downstream. Athens, Ohio was isolated by the worst flood in 30 years. More than 1,000 persons, including 700 Ohio University students, were evacuated as the waters of the Hocking River spilled into the east, south, and west sides of town.

“Two big ice jams built up on the Juniata River in Newport, Pa., and the waters were rising at the rate of a foot an hour. Richard Gerstell, Civil Defense director, said the worst jam was only a few feet from the floor of a key bridge and ‘the situation is touch and go.’

“The Weather Bureau…warned that the upper Cumberland River was due to rise five to six feet above flood stage tonight or tomorrow at Williamsburg, Kt. Lowland flooding was predicted around Baxter, Ky. The threat of high waters on the Cumberland had already closed schools in Bell County. Ohio River waters were expected to spill into northern Kentucky lowlands tonight and the Sandy River was rising rapidly.

“The mayor of Wheeling, W. Va., declared a state of emergency for the Wheeling Creek Valley area.

“In Washington, public housing commissioner Marie C. McGuire called on local housing authority in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to open public housing facilities to flood victims. She said thousands of persons faced dislocation, misery and disease in the four states….” (United Press International. “Ohio River Floods Cause 15 Deaths.” New York Times. 3-7-1963, p. 5.)

March 7, AP: “Flood waters on some of the East’s major rivers, swollen by heavy rain and melting snow, began receding Wednesday, easing the threat of additional damage and discomfort to many thousands of persons. At least 11 deaths were attributed to the flooding. Rainfall throughout most of the states hit by floods ranged between 4 and 5 inches – within 48 hours. The flooding occurred mostly in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina [only small section of NW NC is in OH Riv. basin; SC not at all], Kentucky and Tennessee.

“Several thousand families were forced out of their homes in low areas. The loss in personal property was reckoned in the millions of dollars….” (Associated Press. “11 Deaths Linked to U.S. Flooding.” Beckley Post-Herald, WV. 3-7-1963, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “3 Missing In Jackson River.” Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV. 3-13-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-13-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “11 Deaths Linked to U.S. Flooding.” Beckley Post-Herald, WV. 3-7-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-post-herald-mar-07-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “Big Sandy, Cumberland Continue Flood Rampage.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-14-1963, 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-14-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “Dirty, High Waters Again Flood State.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-18-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-18-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “Flood Cleanup Started Over Most of State.” Kingsport Times, TN. 3-14-1963, p. 14. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-mar-14-1963-p-14/

Associated Press. “Four-State Area Is Hit By Floods.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. 3-5-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-16-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-mar-05-1963-p-22/

Associated Press. “Rampaging Waters…Harlan Center Of Dangerous Flood From Cumberland.” Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-13-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-13-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “State’s Death Toll Rises to 6, Damage in Millions.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 3-14-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-14-1963-p-1/

Associated Press. “Third Round of Flooding Now Fading.” Daily Mail, Charleston, WV. 3-20-1963, section two, p. 17. Accessed 4-17-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-mar-20-1963-p-17/

Beckley Post-Herald, WV. “Raleigh is Included in Disaster Region.” 3-13-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-post-herald-mar-13-1963-p-1/

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Rampaging Waters…2 McDowell Men Drown; Damage High.” 3-13-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-mar-13-1963-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 4-16-2023 at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Climatological_Data_National_Summary/m_gG1xDxctMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Climatological+Data+National+Summary%22+december+%221955%22&pg=PA792&printsec=frontcover

Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “District Hit By Floods.” 3-5-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-16-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-mar-05-1963-p-22/

Geological Survey, U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Summary of Floods in the United States during 1963 (Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1830-B). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1968. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1830b/report.pdf

Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “Mighty Ohio River Poses New Threat.” 3-6-1963, pp. 1 & 6.Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-morning-herald-mar-06-1963-p-6/

Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education. Ohio River Basin. Accessed 4-16-2023 at: https://www.ohio.edu/orbcre/basin/index.html

United Press International. “Flood Situation Easing. Two Upstate Cities Isolated.” Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. 3-20-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/raleigh-register-mar-20-1963-p-1/

United Press International. “Flood Sweeps Two to Death in McDowell.” Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. 3-12-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/raleigh-register-mar-12-1963-p-1/

United Press International. “Gusty Storm in Great Plains; Showers Enroute.” Weirton Daily Times, WV. 3-16-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/weirton-daily-times-mar-16-1963-p-1/

United Press International. “Ohio River Floods Cause 15 Deaths.” New York Times. 3-7-1963, p. 5. Accessed 4-16-2023 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1963/03/07/89915035.html?pageNumber=5

United Press International. “Rain Causes Valley Flooding. Carnegie Area Is Hit Hard.” Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. 3-5-1963, p. 5. Accessed 4-16-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monessen-valley-independent-mar-05-1963-p-5/

United Press International. “Three Persons Drown When Boat Overturns.” Dubois County Daily Herald, Jasper, IN. 3-16-1963, p. 1. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jasper-dubois-county-daily-herald-mar-16-1963-p-1/

Williamson Daily News, WV. “Flood of 1963 brought construction of R.D. Bailey Dam.” 3-10-2021. Accessed 4-17-2023 at: https://www.williamsondailynews.com/opinion/dwight-williamson-flood-of-1963-brought-construction-of-r-d-bailey-dam/article_026d72ce-3f8e-5655-9e83-3e809fc2bbb1.html