Early Sunday morning, residents in the north part of Wilmore were awakened by the rising waters of Mule Creek and by six o'clock, the water was the highest in the memory of many residents. A downpour ranging in amount from 2 1/2 inches up to 7 inches swelled the creek to such proportions that the water came into seven homes causing much damage to floors, rugs, and other articles. Even Dewey Healon's trailer house, located beside the railroad track, had about four inches of water in it. People who had water in the first floor of thier homes were Cary Snyder, Dora Holmes, Verne Davis, Cliff Snyder, Dale Goeller's house, formerly the Nickelson house, Jess Wedel, and Harold Wood. Another rise of from three to six inches would have put water into almost every home north of the tracks. Needless to say, every basement has water in it ranging in depth from a few inches to level full.
East of town, Lew Baker and Bud and Jim Griffith fared even worse than people in town. At the Baker place the water was high enough to lap over the porch railing with resultant damage by the muddy water to the interior of the house. The flood also swept away Baker's chicken house.
At the Griffin farm, water rose to a depth of about five feet and they were unable to get much of their furniture out of the way of the water.
Nearly everyone in the flood area is without water as all depend on electric pumps located in their basements and most of them are at present under water.
So, once again, Wilmore, or at least a part of it, is digging out of the devastation caused by another of the vagaries of Mother Nature.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Schrock and Janet of Topeka came Friday and visited over the Labor Day holiday with Edward's parents,
Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Schrock .
-- The Wilmore News,
September 9, 1949, page 1.
A Mule Creek flash flood hit Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas, on September 4, 1949. This photograph of that flood is by John Edward "Ed" Schrock.
Main Street after the Mule Creek flash flood of Sept 4, 1949. At right, Harve Schrock helps his grand-daughter, Janet, to secure footing. Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas. Photograph by John Edward "Ed" Schrock.
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Mule Creek flash flood hit Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas, on September 4, 1949. Photo by John Edward "Ed" Schrock.
The Wilmore News, May 27, 1949: "Twister Wrecks Wilmore Business District"
Tornados in the Wilmore, Kansas area
A story about the tornado which hit Wilmore on May 20th, 1949, written by Wendel Ferrin and illustrated with photos by John Edward Schrock.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!