On July 9 1945, while the U.S. was battling Japan in World War II,
a devastating storm was quickly passing through Northampton County. Along with record falling rain, there was a severe electrical storm. The Easton-Phillipsburg area had 8.54 inches in a three-hour span.
The flash flood caused rock slides, taking many homes. Along Delaware Drive, both north and south, homes were swept away. The most tragic was on North Main St. in Phillipsburg, where four lives were lost from tons of rock and dirt demolishing an apartment house.
The town of Bath, PA was flooded, railroad tracks and bridges were washed away, motorists were stranded and in some cases, cars were swept away. Crops were ruined, a Pen Argyl mill was hit by lightening and suffered major damage, Merwarth's Greenhouse was completely ruined, twenty-five Girl Scouts were marooned at Henry's Dam, near Belfast and were rescued later.
Weeks later the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers hit their highest stage of flooding. Although it was reported there was no danger of a real flood, the very new amusement park, Tropical Island Beach was completely washed away. This park was on what is known as "Getter's Island" off of North Delaware Dr. in Easton. Sadly, the park opened in May of 1945 and was gone by July 2.
Below are photos from the Easton Express collection, of Raubsville and the devastating results.
The full articles on this flood, can be found at the Easton Area Public Library. The Easton Express micro-film is on the Main Floor and can be used anytime the library is open.
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