Agnes Flooding in Film 1972

By request, I put together this video of the flooding from Tropical Storm Agnes around the Reading area in June 1972. This was prior to the completion of the Blue Marsh Dam which has mitigated much worse flooding in the years since. These films were taken a few hours after the flooding had crested, but when waters were still well above flood stage.

[@mikestraka1767]

This happened during my jr year of HS when I lived in the 500 blk of Laurel St, a block and a half east of the Bingaman St bridge. Indelible memories of the flooding from 7th & Canal up to 3rd & Penn. The water came up 5th and 6th to Willow, within about a block of our house. Thanks for sharing!

[@Conrailfan2323]

The storm that destroyed the EL. Also destroyed half of the Shocks Mills Bridge over on the Port Road. Crazy stuff.

[@waltereturner]

I remember my parents talking about how bad this was when I was a kid. ( little bit before my time) thanks for sharing!

[@scpiedmontvideoproductions878]

Out of all the hurricane's in the early 70s Agnus was by far the worst! Had to believe it's been 48 years since she hit! And was the final nail in the coffin for the EL CNJ Reading LEHIGH VALLEY Penn Central and all northeastern RAILROADS Combined! She was a terrific hurricane! One I'll never forget!

[@thefrase7884]

She was the best. I miss her

[@roberthagberg5482]

My family n me were coming back 2 S. Jersey from WI, right after Agnes hit. We crossed the Susquehanna on Int. 80 n the water was backed up a half a mile on both sides of the river. After we got home we went to a methodist church in Kingston, PA, to clean off the water marks on the walls of the church. The ceiling was 12ft high n the water marks were 11ft high.

[@kendyl_hi2397]

A lot of us can relate I can’t but my grandmother went to her mother and laws house (and she also lived in Kingston as well) and when she came back there was a shed (not hers, hers flew away) was in front of her house. This is just sad that it had to happen to us

[@Oldguynotbald]

My mother and I were the last people to cross the R1 bridge before it fell into the river. It was sagging in the middle. We got home and my mother called the police to shut it down, later that night it collapsed. The local news paper called her for an interview. I still have that clip, and would like to donate it to a historical society. I just don’t know which one would be appropriate.

[@upinthetrees]

Boy, do I remember Agnes. The boy riding the bike could have been me.

[@dschlegel75]

Fascinating video, the storm was slightly before my time but I've heard the horror stories about it. On a side note, would love to see more video on the PRR/PC in the Reading area. So much of it is gone, but there was a pretty amazing infrastructure there.

[@dmaxsba]

Great video, love the music you used with it.

[@masterleafgirl2106]

awesome video i don't remember Agnes really i was only a year old but I do remember my mom and grandmother saying we were evacuated I live in York Couty Pennsykvania and the flooding in downtown was bad...You go through downtown now you still the marks Agnes for high water this literally was the worst storm to hit Pennsylvania and we do get the remnantd of hurricanes quite often

[@michaelbaker3598]

I was 8...my summer school was to start on June 23rd. My dad drove me there ...they told us go home...no summer school that summer

[@thefrase7884]

Why?

[@73amxman98]

I was living in Hermine, PA at the time and although Western PA was spared somewhat, I recall driving to Sutersville and all you saw were chimneys and TV antennas protruding above the waterline as the Youghiogheny River had completely submerged the village. I believe there was even 3-4ft of water over the pitcher's mound at Three Rivers Stadium. It was surreal to see docks which had been torn away with multiple boats tied to them floating and spinning around as they traveled down the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.

[@jerrywoods4845]

As an impressionable 15 year old I remember sandbagging a business near the river and seeing entire trees, dead cows and pigs floating down the James River. That business that we tried to save was washed completely away in 20 ft.floodwaters. I'll never forget those images.

[@streetsofsouthphilly]

My dad was there when he was a little baby!

[@thefrase7884]

Now he’s a big baby?

[@kennyplay5982]

Thank goodness for Blue Marsh Dam!!

[@ironstallion7784]

It should also be worth noted that Strasburg 89 Was also at buttonwood yards at the time in Wilkes-Barre at the time The flood Hit the yard But by the time the Waters receded She was caked from cow catcher to cab With mud and river silt. It was a miracle she had very little damage done to her and Surprisingly stayed on the tracks Unlike the rolling stock which got tossed around like matchboxes. Former Strasburg president Linn Moedinger Who Was involved in 89's Ferry move across from Bellows Falls Vermont Which was where steamtown was located at the time before The big move to Scranton occurred, He actually had evacuate The Buttonwood yards To The 2nd floor of a nearby fire station When the flood waters Swept into the yard like mad. I wasn't around that time but I can probably guess it was a major headache for the Maintenance Of way crews Re railing all that rolling stock Once the repairs were done to the tracks.

[@alanhill8617]

If I remember correctly Agnes gained strength traveling right up the Chesapeake bay I don't remember what town she made landfall in but even as a tropical storm that gal had one purpose in mind : death and massive destruction for the mid-atlantic! She was one hurricane that people who were around back then won't ever forget!

[@colettenasielski8746]

Really Love This Thank You

[@tinabutkus4619]

My God ! It’s hard to believe but this week marks the 49 th Anniversary that hurricane Agnes hit ! Dumping 19 inches of rain and taking 48 lives in Paalone ! I remember this well even though I was 7 and a half years old at the time !! I remember it cuz my youngest sister was born January of that year !! Vivid memories for a7 and a half year old !!

[@apocyldoomer]

I was only 8 years old in 1972( an old fart now, ha) so I don’t remember it too much ( Lived in Philly than, still do) but my Father in law remembers it well, I asked him about it a few times, he said oh yeah! He remembers Hazel also.

[@chuckabbate5924]

Bye bye Western Maryland as well

[@jasonvogue4487]

How could you not show Ellicott City?

[@fmnut]

Because the fellow I got the films from lived in Reading. He could hardly have been in both places at once. If you know of a films source for the flooding in Ellicott City, I would be happy to edit them anytime. Thanks for watching.

[@jasonvogue4487]

@@fmnut understood my father James Vogelsang died in flood 72 agnus in Ellicott city

[@dennisrichardville4988]

The storm that ended the Reading WN Branch.

[@fmnut]

Not true. Service to Wilmington was continued by the Reading Co. right up until Conrail. Service to Coatesville/Modena was provided by Conrail from Reading until 1980. South of Modena was operated by the Octararo Ry. as designated operator for the state. Service to Grace Mine continued to pull out stockpiled ore until late 1985. The Frackville Grade was permanently severed by Agnes, while other branches did get damage but were restored.

[@Kaipo125]

The hurricane that EL CNJ penn central

[@IowaRail8114]

wow, that flood looks bad

[@mattsmocs3281]

Is this Philadelphia?

[@chuckabbate5924]

Around Harrisburg?

[@wrailfan]

Reading, PA.

[@carolannmiles3079]

Re routing it to Fort Error...reclaiming territories from pre Revolutionary Wars!!!!! Cherokee Nation assist! 5 Cuvilized Tribes combine Rain and Storm Dance with Red Clouds ...Souix....Pawnee..Shawnee...Chatas! The Real ones.....

[@randomwrestlingthemes524]

GEARS OF WAR THEME

[@daniellively1128]

Gears 3 really?!!😂

[@fmnut]

There are five tracks on the audio, three are from Gears 2 and two are from Gears 3. And yes, really. I thought the music appropriate to the mood of the film, awed by the power of nature and somber at the destruction.

[@daniellively1128]

I agree just didn't expect in footage of my hometown