THE 1940 FLOOD
The 1940 flood resulted largely from sudden and extended cloud bursts along the crest of the
Blue Ridge and descending into the hollows and valleys below between the two Wilkesboros;
drowning 8 people and destroying at least 150 homes. The tannery of International Shoe
Company, formerly the Smoot Tannery, was destroyed. The Home Chair Company was
enveloped in water and fire broke out destroying the building. Loss of lumber by P.E. Brown,
Genio Cardwell, Wilkesboro Manufacturing Company, Oak Furniture Company, and others
ran into millions of dollars. Property loss was conservatively estimated $5,000,000. To this
should be added the loss of wages from closing the factories. Train service was cut off
because of damage to tracks,
trestles and bridges.
The 1940 flood hastened the enactment of a law by Congress appropriating 8.5 million dollars
to erect a flood control dam across the Yadkin four miles West of Wilkesboro. Construction began
in September, 1960 resulting in the W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir.
Click Here to Read an Interview with J.C. Greene - Seeing the Light
We are gathering more information on the 1940 flood, so please check back soon for more. If
you have pictures or stories of the flood, please contact us at:
info@wilkesnc.org
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