Today in Wheeling History: April 1--Ohio River floods Wheeling, cresting at 39.5 feet but causing relatively light damage compared to previous floods (1960).
On April 1, 1960, Wheeling residents experienced what The Wheeling Intelligencer dubbed the weatherman's "April Fool's joke" when the Ohio River crested at 39.5 feet—three feet above flood stage but significantly lower than initially predicted. The river remained stationary at this level for approximately seven hours before beginning to recede. Damage across the Wheeling area was relatively light compared to the more severe January 1959 flood when the river reached 43.3 feet and damaged hundreds of homes and industries.
Several streets in Central Wheeling, South Wheeling, and Wheeling Island were inundated, with damage primarily limited to items stored in basements. The Wheeling Downs race track and some of the stall area were covered with water, though horses had been previously evacuated. Throughout the Northern Panhandle, residents in low-lying areas took refuge on higher ground, with communities like New Cumberland, Chester, Newell, Wellsburg, Glen Dale, and Moundsville affected to varying degrees.
The Salvation Army provided shelter for 11 people, while Benwood and McMechen remained largely unaffected due to precautionary measures. The Wheeling Steel Corporation temporarily adjusted operations but expected to resume regular production schedules the following day. Despite the inconvenience, hundreds of Ohio Valley residents "breathed easier" as the crest moved downstream without causing serious damage, and many who had evacuated returned to their homes within hours.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/325edbzn) (https://tinyurl.com/4jcr4kv8)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Google Maps
On April 1, 1960, Wheeling residents experienced what The Wheeling Intelligencer dubbed the weatherman's "April Fool's joke" when the Ohio River crested at 39.5 feet—three feet above flood stage but significantly lower than initially predicted. The river remained stationary at this level for approximately seven hours before beginning to recede. Damage across the Wheeling area was relatively light compared to the more severe January 1959 flood when the river reached 43.3 feet and damaged hundreds of homes and industries.
Several streets in Central Wheeling, South Wheeling, and Wheeling Island were inundated, with damage primarily limited to items stored in basements. The Wheeling Downs race track and some of the stall area were covered with water, though horses had been previously evacuated. Throughout the Northern Panhandle, residents in low-lying areas took refuge on higher ground, with communities like New Cumberland, Chester, Newell, Wellsburg, Glen Dale, and Moundsville affected to varying degrees.
The Salvation Army provided shelter for 11 people, while Benwood and McMechen remained largely unaffected due to precautionary measures. The Wheeling Steel Corporation temporarily adjusted operations but expected to resume regular production schedules the following day. Despite the inconvenience, hundreds of Ohio Valley residents "breathed easier" as the crest moved downstream without causing serious damage, and many who had evacuated returned to their homes within hours.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/325edbzn) (https://tinyurl.com/4jcr4kv8)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Google Maps
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