The Historic 1937 Flood

 Jan. 29, 1937 – Many Homes In The County Under Water –

With the advent of the weekend Marion and Crittenden County citizens found themselves digging out of the snow and ice that marked the worst blizzard of the winter.

A deluge of Thursday and until early Friday morning hours brought in its wake cold and biting weather. Sleet fell practically all day Saturday bringing automobile traffic to a minimum and horse and mules could hardly maintain their footing. Not content with, a slow drizzle, of freezing proportions fell during the entire day Sunday and as a result merchants and other retailers found their establishments practically deserted of all but clerks.

Highway and mail traffic was at a standstill, no mail of any importance arriving in the city from Friday until Tuesday at noon. Highway 60 between Marion and Sturgis was inundated as likewise 60 south between Smithland and Paducah. All railway traffic was paralyzed, several trains being placed on the siding here, because of the unusual length of the tracks and three trains were reported to have been practically drowned out near Blackford.

Sunday, a day of major traffic, was marked by practically no cars on the highways, a very few persons outside and as a whole was one of the dullest days of the entire week.

While natives were ensconced beside pleasant and cheerful firesides, flood warnings were being sounded throughout the entire Ohio valley.

With the advent of Monday came reports that all the various mines had been flooded with water, both fluorspar and coal, and that no coal could be obtained from the Union County mines. Many families who bought coal in small quantities were unable to purchase even a lump as and as a result were forced to depend upon relatives, friends and neighbors for heat.

Tuesday found conditions somewhat improved insofar as rail traffic was concerned, but the major trucking concerns were unable to maintain their regular schedules in and out of the city. Coal and fuel dealers were able to supple coal where it was direly needed, but disregarded orders for large amounts.

Telephone poles and lines were, in some instances, uprooted and service was otherwise handicapped as likewise was other means of similar communications. Marion was kept in touch with the outside world through the individual efforts of Lyle Winn, operator and owner of radio station W9 JEG and to this gentleman cannot go too much credit – he remained at his post of duty for many trying hours going so far as to call in an assistant when exhaustion forced him to retire. Telephone messages relayed to him were immediately broadcast with the result that many message reached their destination that would not have otherwise done so. With the exception of Highway 91 – the Princeton Road – all major roadways into the city still remain under water to such an extent that they are un-travelable.

Approximately 60 families were made homeless by the sudden flood and devastation which descended upon Crittenden County. Local Red Cross officials estimated that at least 60 families would be rendered homeless by the swirling waters that descended upon the lower parts of the county. The portions of the county affected are, Dycusburg, Tolu, Fords Ferry, Dam 50 and Weston. These parts all front or have direct bearing on the Cumberland River and the Ohio River.

The Marion Chapter of the American Red Cross is attempting to care for and aid as many of these stricken families as possible. Others have not made an appeal, because of the fact that they have gone to the homes of neighbors and friends, thus alleviating calls and pleas for aid.

From the small town of Dycusburg comes the greatest tales of suffering and bravery. This place fronts the Cumberland River and has been menaced by the flooded stream for the past ten days. The majority of the natives, who reside in the flats or lowlands, have removed all belongings to the higher portions and have taken up their abodes in any form of structure that was afforded them.

When the rain ceased falling early Friday morning little was thought that it was of general nature. Daily rains at this time of year are to be expected in this territory and not until Lyle Winn, operator of radio broadcasting station W9JEG, began the broadcast of flood suffering, little, if any, attention paid to the possibility of flood as produced by Thursday's and Friday's downpours.

Following the radiocasting of Winn, came in troops, which were ordered to move into Paducah and other flooded areas to the south and west. Not being able to proceed to their destinations, these men remained here until ordered into other parts Sunday night or Monday morning. The highway between Paducah and Marion was completely submerged and traffic was unable to proceed with any degree of safety.

Lyle Winn And Station W9JEG

Do the people of Marion and surrounding vicinity realize that Lyle Winn, operator or radiocasting station 9 JEG has performed one of the most valuable of services to the county and city?

Following the sleet storm, when other communications were at a minimum, this operator opened his key and remained at his post through all conditions. Night and day; hour after hour; this tireless individual kept Marion and Crittenden County in touch with the "outside world." When forced to take the necessary "forty winks," he called in a capable assistant, who carried on the work without the slightest interruption. At all hours he received telephonic communications requesting calls and assistance for aid – this he transmitted without cost and in the majority of cases, at the own expense. Lyle Winn has performed a service that should not be quickly forgotten nor sticken from the mind.

Feb. 5, 1937

With floodwaters receding, many acts of heroism reach the Press office regarding people whom have been rescued from the flood that reached devastating proportions. Especially is this true in and around Tolu, Dycusburg and the small inland town of Tiline. In the town of Tolu the dike or levee gave way to the pressure of the flooded Ohio and as a result the natives, in a great majority of case, were forced to flee to safety on high ground.

From over the entire area comes the report that swollen streams and floods have caused panic and suffering to such an extent that no form of transportation could operate in or out of this city for many days. Especially true is this at Blackford, where locomotives were reported to have been practically drowned out while attempting to negotiate the inundated bridges spanning the swollen streams. One train was reported as fortunate in this respect, reaching the station with a load of refugees before torrents of water poured over the trestle. No calamities have been reported in our county as yet, but all transportation, with the possible exception of rail, is at a standstill.