1954 Globe

 The first few paragraphs of this front page story stated: "GLOBE-Sixshooter Canyon aimed a cloudburst at the heart of Globe last night and scored a devastating bullseye. Merchants estimated a $1 million damage, centered in a three block area of North Broad Street. There was no reported injuries. Torrents of water from the hour's deluge of an estimated 3 inches in town and on the Pinal Mountain watershed southeast of town shot into the business sec- tion about 7 p.m. Floodwaters, six feet deep in spots, wrecked store after store, buckled streets, stacked mud and debris deep in the low spots, and isolated sections for 5 hours. Globe officials declared a state of emergency and called in help from all over the state. GOVERNOR PYLE sent in the national guard to work alongside the highway patrol, civil defense volunteers, and city and county officials to preserve order and guard against looting in the torn businesses. Most of the residential areas missed the heaviest blows although homes in South Globe suffered some from the flooding. Oldtimers compared the storm and flooding with the Globe flood of Aug. 17, 1904."

Source: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80981190/july-29-1954-globe-flood/

The U.S. Geological Survey analyzed the flood in their annual report of 1954 Floods:

"Heavy rains south of Globe and 1.1 inches in Globe caused a flash flood in Pinal Creek near Globe on the evening of July 29. The creek which flows through the lower part of the business district overflowed its banks and water rose to a depth of several feet in some of the buildings. The Weather Bureau reported 25 business establishments in 2 city blocks severaly damaged and 126 families suffered losses. Total damages were estimated at $1 million.

A slope-area measurement showed a peak discharge of 8,130 cfs from 34.4 square miles. A greater flood occurred August 17, 1904. Computation of a simple slope-area measurement showed the discharge to have been 13,200 cfs from a drainage area of 33.4 square miles."

Source: Page 238 https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1370c/report.pdf




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