Williamsport High School - Guneukitschik Yearbook (Williamsport, MD)

Page 16 text:

ANCHOR DOWN The ominous clouds pass over the Potomac River, the cemetery, Williamsport, and the water tower as the western sky breaks with sun filled rays to start the long drying out period. RAIN — AND LOTS OF IT! RIGHT — City Hall of Williamsport, the headquarters and heartbeat of our town. According to ‘Bus’ Seymour, mayor of Wil- liamsport, this flood brought more water than Hurricane Agnes in 1972, and he said the area hardest hit was along the Conoco- cheague Creek in the southern portion of town. Cars filled with the curious headed for the river to watch the rising waters. (ABOVE) As county residents waited for the waters to recede, and prepared to assess the damage caused by the lingering storm that swelled river waters, the sky began to brighten and the worse was reported to be over. 12 Opening The challenge of Williamsport to move forward.

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 'J 1 i «RKeJI' Jiyfsbwfc mmh| flW'EzSiV fj'' i , % n rf % J y’5Rv • 1 tv HYMN TO THE BLUE AND WHITE (Alma Mater) To thee our Alma Mater May we be always true To love defend your honor Your whiteness and your blue Your lamp of learning calls For scholarship we’ll strive Lest we forget thy hallowed halls Pray still be at our side. Our goals shall not be altered Our learning knows no rest Our team shall have our blessing In lean years and the best We’re guardians of the blue Protectors of the white We’ll hold aloft your bannered name With glory, pride, and might. Pray Still Be At Our Side Opening 11

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RAGING FLOODWATERS Usually the first week of November means football games, apple cider, and raking leaves; but this year, the first week of November meant rain— and lots of it! The Potomac River began its rapid rise shortly after 10:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 1985, warning people who lived near the river to “anchor down” or else evacuate. Some people didn’t have time to do either and found themselves watching helplessly as countless trailers, boats, and docks sailed down the racing river only to wind up on a muddy bank, many miles away, shattered, beaten, and unuseable. Williamsport wasn’t the only area hit with this terrible disaster. All of Washington County and its surrounding area, as well as portions of West Virginia and Virginia, were stricken. The river crested at 36 feet in Williamsport, 37 feet in Hancock, and a tremendous 53 feet in Paw Paw, West Virginia. It was thought to be the worst disaster since 1972’s Hurricane Agnes. There were reported 20 county roads closed. Some homes were completely covered in muddy water and thus the residents needed a warm place to stay. In Williamsport, our own Williamsport High School was that place and people did take advantage of its shelter. Elsewhere, entire towns required assistance, both financially and from the National Guard, Red Cross, and able volunteers. After weeks, and in some cases months of restoration, many homes and businesses recovered with minimal damages thanks to the work of volunteers from various churches, civic groups and other organizations. It was in fact a terrible disaster, but peole managed to find, through the goodwill of oth- ers, the strength to get through till tomorrow. Opening 13