Pittsburgh, PA Flood, Mar 1936

PITTSBURGH – At least eighteen dead in floods engulfing Pittsburgh – West Pennsylvania area, hundreds homeless, millions in property damage, fires.

Reno Evening Gazette, Reno, NV 18 Mar 1936

--------

STEEL METROPOLIS IS HARASSED ON ALL SIDES BY HIGH WATER

Flood Races Through Many Buildings in Business District of City

Loss of Water Service to 250,000 Citizens Is Also Threatened Today

PITTSBURGH, March 18—(AP) – (4 P.M.) – By telephone to New York: A general power failure in Pittsburgh late today interrupted most communications to the rest of the nation.

PITTSBURGH, March 18—(AP) – (Copyright 1936 by the Associated Press) – Pittsburgh harassed on all sides by the worst flood in its history faced darkness and business paralysis today.

A series of disastrous explosions and fires brought more suffering to the city. At least forty-nine were hurt in the blasts and fires.

Thirty persons many of them women and children refugees from the flood were injured as a blast tore apart a home in suburban Lawrenceville. The other explosions occurred in industrial plants injuring firemen or residents living nearby the factories.

Two major power plants were under water and a third was endangered. Should the last plant go power service would be completely suspended.

All street car service was stopped.

SCHOOLS CLOSED

Mayor William N. McNair proclaimed a holiday. Schools and colleges were ordered closed.

Flood waters raced through dozens of buildings in the main business district and hundreds remained marooned in them.

Officials said a shortage of food would appear soon.

The Red Cross took charge of organizing thousands of volunteers for rescue and rehabilitation work.

The rivers reached the record-breaking stage of 44.1 feet, 19.1 above flood stage.

Explosions and fires added to the gravity of the situation.

There were eighteen known dead in Pennsylvania twelve of them in the western section. There were unverified reports of three other drownings and six persons were reported lost in eastern Pennsylvania.

DAMAGE IS HEAVY

Damage mounted into the millions and the wealthy business section known as the “Golden Triangle” in Pittsburgh was among the hardest hit.

Thousands were homeless in Pittsburgh, Johnstown and the other devastated communities. Disease, hunger, and misery stalked behind the waters.

Loss of water service to 250,000 citizens also was threatened.

Continued on page 2