The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 1124, •
WORST DISASTER - Anyone in Exeter who doubted the Biblicca story
of Noah and the Ark thought twice about it July 24, 1969 when Exeter
was flooded in the worst natural disaster of its history. Between five
and 10 inches of rain fell in four hours and the resultant flash flood
through the downtown area carried cars and trucks as far as 100 feet
and overturned one vehicle. The hospital was the hardest hit and it's not
hard to imagine why as the dramatic picture above illustrates. It was
taken at the height of the flood from Ann St. looking at the back of the
hospital.
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Section 1, Page 29 THE EXETER TIME-ApVi2CATE 4.1HE 18, 1973
1969 flood worst d saster?'
The T-A — July 31, 1969
Unbelievable!
That was probably the word
used most often to describe the
scene witnessed by Exeter and
area residents when a torrential
rain and hail storm turned the
area into a large lake and a
turbulent flood stream Thursday.
Ironically, most area farmers
and local residents had been
hoping for a rain, but none
bargained for the deluge which
struck,
It caused a flash flood that went
rampaging through the down-
town area with such force that it
carried cars and trucks as far as
100 feet and even overturned one
vehicle.
On Marlboro St., the water
crept up to first storey windows
at the homes of Mrs. Ralph
Bailey and Mike Bourne and in
several homes in the flood area
the water completely filled
basements and recreation rooms.
The rain — estimated at bet-
ween five and ten inches in some
spots — lasted for almost four
hours and filled fields and back
yards before the water started to
find its own level and headed to
the storm drain running through
town from Edward St., to the
railroad tracks.
Hail stones the size of marbles
accompanied the downpour and
the combination kept most people
indoors. This was one of the
reasons why few witnessed the
buildup of water as it started its
journey through the community.
By the time residents and
merchants saw it coming, it was
too late. Within seconds it was
cascading down the path of the
old creek bed and people working
within a few feet of their cars had
to stand idly by as the water
seeped into the doors and win-
dows.
It came like a tidal wave!
In offices such as that occupied
by the OPP at the Devon
Building, the officers had to
scramble out the doors with what
they could carry in their arms as
the water rushed into the
basement and rose several inches
in seconds.
There was no opportunity for
return trips to salvage any
records.
At Snell Bros. Ltd. the em--
ployees managed to move only
three cars before the water had
risen so high what it was coming
in the vehicles' windows.
The rapid build-up of water was
among the things most difficult to
imagine.
Jim Hennessey reported that
he had gone home to check his
basement for water during the
storm and at that time there was
no indication of flooding or what
was to follow.
In less than 20 minutes his wife
phoned to report that cars were
being washed past their home on
Ann St, by the stream which
picked up velocity as it
descended over the street grade
at Main St.
Three blocks west the waters
spread out and covered a
distance from Ann to Sanders St.
with the depth ranging up to five
feet.
A few residents in this area had
time to save a few articles from
their basements, but the en-
croaching waters all too quickly
made this impossible and the
owners had to wade farther up to
high ground to watch helplessly
as the waters spilled into and
around their homes.
The water in the Devon
Building basement rose to street
level in minutes and was flowing
in the front door at South Huron
Hospital.
The town was soon divided by
the waters which stretched from
James St, to several yards south
of Huron St, Drivers wishing to
get from one side to the ether had
to drive east or West to the eon-
cession roads in Stephen and
Usborne.
South Huron Hospital was
Please turn to page 25