The LuLac Edition #2966, June 23rd, 2015

AGNES FLOOD 43 YEARS ON

On June 23, 1972 after the valiant efforts of thousands sandbagging on the dikes – the water came over and through the protective levees, flooding homes and businesses with water that stretched miles across the Wyoming Valley. What happened was the worst flooding of the Susquehanna River Basin on record.
Tuesday will mark the 37th anniversary of the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Agnes.
In Pennsylvania, an estimated $2.8 billion in damage was incurred – translating to about $14 billion in today’s dollars. Considering the magnitude of the disaster, relatively few lives were lost. However, in Luzerne County, more than 25,000 homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed, and the devastation was estimated to be $1 billion. (Times Leader).
The Agnes Flood changed the face of the Valley, gave residents an idea of what government could do for them and what they could also for for themselves.
Agnes was called Dan Flood’s finest hour. He used his power but had the help of a Federal government only too willing to help in an Election Year. Plus in Congress there weren’t fools like Ted Cruz who would tell you “We can’t vote for aid until we know how to pay for it”. He stood by that statement until his state was flooded. There were less morons in Washington then.Thank goodness. Here's what it was like before June 23rd, 1972.

Then the waters came.