Chincoteague

Storms
From Lillian Mears Rew

(The text and photos included in these sections are from Lillian Mears Rew's book, Assateague & Chincoteague: As I Remember Them. The copyright belongs to Mrs. Rew's family, and the sections included here are reprinted by permission. Please note that the text and photos may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission.)

The Hurricane of 1821

The legends handed down from generation to generation have greatly affected the lives of the people. Most of these tales were passed along by word of mouth, because the inhabitants knew very little about writing. The very old people of the Island repeated the stories of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers almost as if they were events of yesterday.

The Hurricane of 1821 made prey of the Island, formed a great tidal wave, capsized a house or two, up-rooted trees, and drowned five people. It was called the great Hurricane of 1821. It was during this raging storm of 1821, that grandmother had to climb to the rafters of her home, and cling to the boards with water nearly up to her waist, expecting her life to be taken any moment.

It was here that grandmother began to pray and became a Christian. As the angry waves began to move out to sea and the dark black clouds disappeared, she thanked God for taking care of her. Mother has told us so many times what happened to grandmother during the storm of 1821.

The Hurricane of 1933 on Chincoteague Island

Very little damage was done. Strong wind and rain played havoc for an hour or so. As the wind began to blow, the high tidal waters from Chincoteague Bay and the Atlantic Ocean met in the center part of the Island very suddenly and covered the entire Island for minutes, but soon the waters subsided; the three or four feet of water and the wind did minor damages like blowing windows out and roofs off a few places. Some of the stock and poultry were lost, too.

The Storm of 1936

The storm of 1936 did more damage than the storm of 1933. The Chincoteague clean-up squad soon took care and helped in the areas that needed attention.

The Black Narrows Bridge was carried out by the storm. The house of Joshua Brasure was blown over, touching and damaging the home of Leslie Merritt-the property was a total loss.

During the storm, one life was taken: a baby belonging to Mr. & Mrs. John Lewis, the daughter and son-in-law of the Brasures. The baby was upstairs. The other members of the family were rescued from the third floor window unharmed.

The chicken houses of Bert Watson and other owners were wrecked. The Rowley's Canning Factory and Pitt's Oyster House, near the railway dock, were heavily damaged, too.

A large monitor was carried in H.L. Lumley's front yard by the high wind and tides. The Wimbrow Shipyard was almost totally destroyed.

On the high land could be seen mud machines and boats, and on Main Street a lot of debris and lumber could be seen as well as in other sections of the Island. Tides brought debris to the Island from Ocean City, Maryland, including signs, boats, etc. etc.

The Flood of 1962

On March 6, 1962, a great tragedy at Chincoteague known as "the flood of 1962" hit the Island without warning. Water rampaged through the streets, destroyed property, and ruined personal belongings.

Some stores on the Main Street were totally destroyed, and the home of Louis Jester was washed out to sea by the high tides and wind. Many of the homes were unlivable. Most of the food was no longer usable, and much of the merchandise also was discarded. As the high tides would rise, they raised tombs of the dead which could be seen floating around the neighborhoods.

The Main Street was covered with everything imaginable, including all kinds of furniture, animals, and bed clothing.

The water was about 6 feet high on many parts of the Island. People almost drowned before they could be rescued and carried to safety. Helicopters were shuttling evacuees into Wallops Station from the Colonial Store Parking Lot and the Baptist Church Lot.

Parts of the Causeway leading to Chincoteague were breaking off and washing away. Communication and power were out and the only contact was through a sheriffs radio car on the Island and the Coast Guard Station.

Those who remained on the Island were ordered by the Virginia Board of Health to evacuate because of the extreme contamination of the water. Some refused, in spite of the orders.

Dr. William C. Fritz, County Health Officer, issued the following instruction to residents returning to storm-damaged, tide-swept, homes:

1.Destroy all perishable food such as milk, cream, etc.
2.Destroy all foods in glass containers including soft drinks.
3.Decontaminate foods in tin cans by dipping and scrubbing in water containing lysol or clorox (strong).
4.Destroy all meats, fish and poultry in freezers or refrigerators.
5.Destroy all frozen foods and Ice Cream.
6.Boil all water for drinking and cooking for at least ten minutes.

It was impossible to get a full report on the damages that this storm of 1962 did to the Island.

One important thing about it, no lives were lost and all were able to return home to begin to rebuild and start doing what was necessary in order to make the Island a place to call home once more.

The Red Cross, the Salvation Army, in cooperation with all church affiliations and people from far and near, provided clothing, food and vital supplies to those in need.

Many homes on the mainland were also opened to the people until they could return home.