In Memory of the Victims of the 1939 Flood
A flash flood in Morehead, Kentucky in the early morning hours of July 5, 1939 resulted in 25 deaths.
Geneva Amburgey, age 47 Margie Amburgey, age 13 Orma Rae Amburgey, age 6 Junior Leon Bays, age 11 Minerva Boggess, age 77 Minnie Carter, age 38 Lula Mae Collins, age 32 Maggie Frances Collins, age 12 Ruby Gladys McRoberts, age 24 Walter H. McRoberts, jr., age 4 Millie Ann McRoberts, age 65 Sylvia Lee Rerry, age 17 Albert Porter, age 47 Nora Belle Porter, age 45 Mahala Mae Ratliff, age 49 Loren Ratliff, age 8 Mary F. Salyers, age 23 Ivan Eugene Salyers, age 8 Bobby Carl Salyers, age 6 Alberta Mae Salyers, age 3 James Elmer Sparkman, age 8 Paul Edwin Sparkman, age 6 Thelma Lee Sparkman, age 3 Bobby E. Sparkman, age 7 mo. Emma J. Tolliver, age 77
This memorial dedicated July 5, 2014,
the 75th anniversary of the tragedy.
Erected 2014.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1939.
Location. 38° 10.917′ N, 83° 25.983′ W. Marker is in Morehead, Kentucky, in Rowan County.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass and in the Cumberland Plateau. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rowan County "War," 1884-1887 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rowan County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Morehead Chesapeak And Ohio Railway Freight Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Moonlight Schools (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spirit of the American Doughboy (about 700 feet away); Allie Young Law Office
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 9, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
