Port Jervis, New York, USA
1955 - Hurricane Diane - NINE DEATHS REPORTED IN EASTERN PA. 650 YOUNGSTERS MAROONED; RAIN REACHES 9 INCHES.

...While Pennsylvania was hardest hit by what was left by Hurricane DIANE, there were floods throughout a wide area of the northeast United States.

Southeastern New York state, bordering on Pennsylvania, was inundated and children from a number of summer camps were evacuated to higher ground. Port Jervis, a city of 10,000, was put under a state of emergency by Mayor JAMES E. COLE as more than 7 inches of rain in 24 hours swelled the Delaware River...

...Stewart AFB and West Point each sent an amphibious "duck" to the Port Jervis area.

Children were evacuated to higher ground from a number of summer camps. Some children were marooned in others, and boats were sent to their rescue.

Many roads were impassible, bridges were washed out and phone service was disrupted in places.

Mayor JAMES E. COLE declared a state of emergency in this city of 10,000 population at 2 a.m. Civil defense forces were ordered out...

...Streets were flooded in Port Jervis, a railroad center, when the Delaware overflowed at spots above the dikes protecting the center of the city. The Neversink River also overflowed in spots...


Chester Times
Chester, Pennsylvania
August 19, 1955

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