A photograph taken on September 30, 1924, was published in the Lykens Standard on October 10, 1924 along with the following caption:
FLOOD MADE STATE HIGHWAY FROM LYKENS IMPASSIBLE
Because of the high water, the State Highway leading from North Lykens was impassible. Only “dare devils” ventured on their way through this swift torrent.
The previous week, October 3, 1924, the Lykens Standard described the extent of the damage, which it claimed was caused by heavy rains:
FLOOD COST BOROUGH RESIDENTS $10,000
Not since 1889, when this section went thru a flood stage so much as the forepart of this week, when the entire northern and southern portions of the borough were in danger of having the Wiconisco and Rattling creeks flow over the banks and cover the town.
With the continued rain from Sunday until late Tuesday afternoon, the streams were filled to overflowing at all points. The residents of the borough suffering greatest from the overflow being those living in the central district along the Wiconisco Creek and the western end of the borough along Rattling Creek.
The stream gradually rose Monday afternoon and by Tuesday morning the water rushed in on land. The Box Factory, located in East North Street, and owned by Paul H. Werner, suffered a loss of nearly two hundred dollars in materials. Further west in that street, immediately below the Keen & Kniley Factory, residents moved from their homes, fearing the great torrent. So swift was the water at this point that the foundations were washed from under the dwellings. The home of Daniel Artz, was in the greatest danger as the wall had crumbled to the dashing waters. It is understood that his loss was more than $1,000.
The water from the Wiconisco Creek kept rising hourly after Monday noon and by Tuesday morning it was impossible for the Philadelphia & Reading Company to run trains in or out of Lykens. The bridge located in East Lykens joining Lykens and Wiconisco was as a small island. The water at this point being more than 18 inches deep. Much damage was done to the new structure being erected at that point by the P. R. R. [Pennsylvania Railroad]. The home of Elmer Foster located in Wiconisco Township, was for a time in danger of being flooded.
Rattling Creek also overflowed and caused no end of damage. The Swimming Pool, where much labor was done was washed out. Young shrubbery and trees were uprooted; the rustic bridge crumbled in the torrents swiftness and the roads will have to be made over.
In West Lykens, the home of Mrs. Isaac Zerby was endangered or crumbling at any minute. The water at that point rose to a height which touched the rafters. The family was fortunate in saving the greater part of their winter supplies. Other homes in that section were also in danger, but none suffered as the Zerby family.
Borough Park was completely covered by the overflow, and it was feared for a time that the water would rise so high that it would reach the dancing pavilion.
By Tuesday evening, following the light fall of rain that day, the water receded and soon the channels were carrying away the surplus in the streams.
The entire loss of the residents of the Borough, unofficially estimated, nears $10,000.
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Stories from the Lykens Standard, 1924, via Newspapers.com.
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