Pennsylvania was the epicenter of one of the worst natural disasters to hit the United States. The natural disaster was the Agnes Flood. The flood was caused by the rains of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Agnes. The flooding started on June 23, 1972 when the water broke through the Susquehanna River Levee system.
The flood waters covered a large sections of the Wyoming Valley, causing an estimated $1 billion worth of damage. The flood damaged some 20,000 homes, 2,728 businesses and 150 factories. With disruptions to the businesses, one third of the work force in Luzerne County had to file for state employment benefits. In today’s money, that $1 billion worth of damage to Luzerne County would be $5,828,285,183.65.
- Mary Corcoran is carried from a rescue boat after she and a companion, right, were rescued from a Wilkes-Barre home for the elderly. Smoke from a major fire which struck the flood-bound city is visible in the background. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- Helicopter hovers over scene as rescue worker directs evacuee to shelter center in Northampton St. area. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Four unidentified men in a motor boat in downtown Wilkes-Barre on June 24, 1972. In the background you can see numerous buildings on fire. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- This is how downtown Tunkhannock looked as the rampaging Susquehanna River continued to spill from its banks. The borough’s principal thoroughfare – Tioga Street. – is covered with water. Lehigh Valley Railroad tracks are just visible at upper left. To the right is the Gay Murray Hardware Store. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- Aerial photograph of the Wilkes-Barre Post Office along Main St. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- Wilkes-Barre firefighters, surrounded by flood waters, fight losing battle against fire. Perched atop a submerged truck, they employ pump which forces stream of flood water against the blaze. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Pennsylvania National Guard building under water in West Pittston. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Aerial photograph of Market St. in Kingston. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Aerial photograph of South Wilkes-Barre. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Aerial photograph of South Wilkes-Barre. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- This devastation in the Riverside section of Wilkes-Barre is typical of the havoc wreaked upon that city and other parts of Northeast Pennsylvania by Tropical Storm Agnes and the Susquehanna River during June 1972. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- Jack Pahl and his son, Kevin, of Hughestown hang clothes out to dry as they begin cleanup at their summer home along River Road in Falls. The roof on which they are supporting the hangers was ripped from the Pahl cottage and carried at least 100 yeards by the raging waters. Agnes Flood Times-Tribune Archives
- Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Mundy Park, one of the largest mobile home sites in the Wyoming Valley, on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Unidentified man looking over a map of the area affected by Agnes Flood. Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Car damaged by flood waters at a car dealership in West Pittston. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Section of Forty-Fort Cemetery which was washed away by flood caused by Tropical Storm Agnes. Work is progressing on restoring the dike. Workmen are shown in photo at work on the cemetery grounds. Remains of caskets and tombstones are at left along dike. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Clad in rubber wanders, recovery workers prod in search of more corpses sunk in remaining flood water at Wyoming. The submerged bodies were among those swept from graves at Forty Fort Cemetery by rampaging Susquehanna Rivers in late June. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- West Pittston area took on the appearance of an armed camp last week as National Guard and other military units moved in to assist with restoration work in the wake of the disastrous flood. This is the scene on the front lawn of Wyoming Area High School, West Pittston, where the 111th Infantry Battalion of Chester has set up a bivouac area. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- President Richard Nixon visiting with residents effected by the Agnes Flood. Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Aerial photograph of the North Street Bridge as seen from the Wilkes-Barre side. Image taken on August 25, 1972. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- National Guard Sgt. Robert McNeil,of 149 Horton St., Wilkes-Barre, heads to his flood battered home hand in hand with his son Saturday. Attached to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, headquartered in the Kingston Armory, he is among the thousands of military personnel on clean-up detail in flood-hit Wyoming Valley. Sgt.McNeil has bee in the flood zone since June 22 and at the height of the disaster, water reached to within two feet of the second floor of his residence. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
- Massive clean-up job facing flood stricken Wyoming Valley begins in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square, where four to five feet of water had accumulated during the height of disaster. Workman is attempting to shovel two-inches of mud from the receding flood waters into the street. Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives Agnes Flood Times Tribune Archives
To purchase images visit the Agnes Flood gallery in our photo store
Additional articles:
Flood of 1972: Hurricane Agnes – National Weather Service
Hurricane Agnes: a look back after 40 years — Capitol Weather Gang, Washington Post, June 21, 2012
As Agnes swamped Wilkes-Barre, Scrantonians banded together to help their neighbors recover from the flood, The Sunday Times, 6/24/2012
Residents remembers recovering from Agnes’ fury 40 years ago, The Sunday Times, 6/24/2012
Storm Fronts exhibit gallery — thetimes-tribune.com, October 10, 2011
Two floods, same house — The Citizens’ Voice, June 17, 2012
Agnes Flood had lasting impact on Back Mountain — The Citizens’ Voice, June 20, 2012
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
