This day in Mohawk Valley History: March 26

WHITESBORO

HIGH WATER DOES DAMAGE

Sauquoit Creek Overflows Its Banks and Other Sections of Village Suffer.

Whitesboro, March 25. (Special.) — The incessant downpour of rain of Monday night and yesterday caused considerable damage about the village. The Sauquoit creek water raised over its banks shortly before noon, flooding the land in the rear of houses on Gardner street and also in the vicinity of Davis avenue. The water on the flats rose the quickest ever. Sewer troubles near the railroad resulted in the water being forced back into many cellars in that section and furnace fires being extinguished. The residents of upper Westmorland street became greatly excited yesterday afternoon when the entire street had been held up for a time further up the street, suddenly breaking away. Walks were washed out cellars flooded and at Foster and Westmorland streets the Rome and Little Falls trolley tracks were so covered with debris that one car was derailed, blocking the service in one direction for a couple of hours and making it necessary for eastbound cars to travel over the Main street line. At Foster street the water took its course around the residence of P. S. McAllister and into the vacant lot between this place and that of William Rice, where it settled the greater share of dirt, completely filling in this low section of property. Clyne Place also received similar treatment.

Reports from Marcy and other surrounding places tell of more damage. The Nine Mile Creek, north on the Marcy State road, is the highest ever. The water in the Erie Canal comes but a little short of being at its regular water level and with much more rain will overflow its banks. Chicken coops and barns, together with numerous other buildings have been flooded in many cases. Had it not been for the absence of ice in any of the streams damage to a considerable greater extent would have resulted.

Source: NYS Historic Newspapers.

Note: On this day, widespread flooding was reported throughout the country in addition to flooding at locations throughout New York State. NYS Historic Newspapers