The Flood of 1955

The Flood of 1955. . , In August 1955, two hurricanes passed by northeastern Pennsylvania within a week, producing massive rainfall amounts over the headwaters of the Wallenpaupack Creek. On August 12, heavy rain from Hurricane Connie brought creeks and lakes to above normal levels. Less than one week later, on the night of August 18, Hurricane Diane dumped up to 12 inches of rain on the already saturated soil, causing significant and widespread flooding. As a result of the flood, the courses of the Wallenpaupack Creek and the East Branch were altered, as illustrated on the map. , The rise of the Wallenpaupack Creek and its tributaries was very rapid. Overnight the creek rose to a record level, inundating the village of Newfoundland. The photograph above shows the crossroads in Newfoundland with the Moravian Church and the Greene-Dreher-Sterling School buildings at the center. When the water receded, thousands of tons of silt and debris covered the village. Homes and businesses were destroyed, roads washed away and bridges collapsed, isolating the area for days with no means of communication or travel. On this site, near the center of town, the creek rose 10 feet above flood stage, as shown by the high-water marker placed on the park pavilion. , In nearby Greentown, ten residents drowned, including four children, when the swollen East Branch swept away homes, farms, roads and bridges along Beehn Road. The photograph below shows the bridge spanning the original East Branch (upper right corner), and the creek's new path where it cut across Route 507 and engulfed Beehn Road, where the greatest loss of life and destruction of property occurred. In South Sterling, one man died when his home was ripped from its foundation and washed away. Property damage in Greene and Dreher Townships totaled approximately $1.5 million. , The historic Flood of 1955 was a tragedy that altered our community and our lives. In its aftermath, people came together in a spirit of camaraderie as neighbors helped neighbors to restore their homes and businesses. To protect residents and mitigate damage from future floods, a comprehensive flood control plan was implemented. With the assistance of federal, state, and local governments, a two-mile, 40-foot-wide channel was built to relocate the Wallenpaupack Creek where it borders Newfoundland. The East Branch was widened from Greentown to its confluence with the Wallenpaupack Creek. Additionally, seven dry dams were built to hold back excess water during periods of intense rainfall and release it at a controlled rate. These extensive flood control efforts will help prevent destruction and loss of life from future floods.