Americus in Sumter County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Flood of July 1994
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 2021
1. The Flood of July 1994 Marker
This marker placed by the Mayor and City Council of Americus and the Sumter County Board of Commissioners in remembrance of those persons who lost their lives during the flood of July 1994:
and in acknowledgement and recognition of the immense acts of bravery, courage, and selflessness undertaken by so many during this most trying time.
Erected 1994 by Mayor and City Council of Americus; and the Sumter County Board of Commissioners.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1994.
Location. 32° 4.287′ N, 84° 13.976′ W. Marker is in Americus, Georgia, in Sumter County. It can be reached from South Lee Street (State Highway 377) 0.1 miles south of West Lamar Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the north side the Americus Public Safety Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 West Lamar Street, Americus GA 31709, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Prather Clinic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Presbyterian Church of Americus (about 300 feet away); Confederate Hospitals (about 600 feet away); Founders Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sumter County Courthouse Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Speaker Crisp (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sumter County (approx. 0.3 miles away); Luther H. Story (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Americus.
Also see . . .
1. Tropical Storm Alberto (1994).
Tropical Storm Alberto produced extensive flooding over portions of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in July 1994. The first tropical cyclone and named storm of the annual hurricane season, Alberto developed from a tropical wave over the northwestern Caribbean Sea on June 30. In Georgia, rainfall from the tropical cyclone peaked at 27.85 in near Americus. Virtually all of the precipitation became instant runoff into streams and rivers. Many roads were inundated, forcing the closure of 175 roads and 1,000 bridges.(Submitted on July 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Georgia Guard response to the Flood of 1994: 25 years later.
On July 3, 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto(Submitted on July 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)began tracking north across Georgia inundating the state with unprecedented rainfall. Twenty-one inches of precipitation was recorded in 24 hours in Americus, Georgia. With the ground already saturated from previous rains, Alberto swiftly overloaded streams and rivers with surface runoff.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 8, 20212. The Flood of July 1994 Marker(marker is mounted atop the brick pedestal directly in front of the Americus Public Safety Building)
3. City with highest death toll remembers '94 floods.
On July 5th, 1994, the small South Georgia city of Americus was caught by surprise. While the downtown was spared, the quick rains impacted some of the main roads into the city and creeks expanded, catching drivers off guard. Crews came together to do everything possible to rescue people caught in the water. In the end, 15 people were killed in Sumter County, more than anywhere else in the state. The CDC says the cause of around half of those were from ruptured dams spilling into creeks. The floods were the largest natural disaster in Georgia history.(Submitted on July 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
