How Agnes Hit the Rest of the Cove

Fifty years later, there is still no doubt that Williamsburg, sitting along the bank of the little Juniata River, suffered the worst damage from Agnes. But other areas of the Cove were impacted as well. The following accounts are from the archives of the Morrisons Cove Herald.

Martinsburg – Martinsburg Borough Manager Joseph C. Beach said the worst damage in the area was a washout of a road leading to the borough’s reservoir on Lock Mountain. Area residents were also advised to boil their drinking water after a sample taken from the Morrisons Cove Home showed some contamination. The Martinsburg Fire Company was called to assist in Williamsburg, but also responded to calls in Martinsburg for flooded basements.

Roaring Spring – No major damage was reported, but some homes along Cabbage Creek were flooded. Sell Motors Garage on Cabbage Creek reported five feet of water in the grease pit, and the field in front of WKMC flooded. Mearle Pote, chief of the Friendship Fire Company, estimated overall damages at $35,000 due to flooded basements. Parts of Plum Creek Road and areas in East Sharpsburg experienced high water levels for a short while.

Claysburg – Donald Water, Claysburg Fire Chief, said improvements made after an earlier flood in 1970 helped lessen the damage from Agnes in the area. He said many residents who experienced flooding at their homes in 1970 bought submersible pumps that were put to use during the 1972 flood. High wind in Klahr brought down trees, one falling on the Charles Mentzer home causing $3,500 in damages. Power outages due to wind were also reported in the area.

Southern Cove – For the most part, the southern part of Morrisons Cove escaped major damage, since the storm was focused more to the east. Basements flooded and yards were waterlogged. A recently installed flood control system along the Raystown Branch of the Juniata near Everett helped reduce water levels along the river. Some roads in the Cypher Beach area closed, but reopened in a day or so.