The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 10 HEAVY RAINS FLOOD MARION COUNTY DURING MARCH OF 1973 WHEN 9.06 INCHES FELL IN 16 1/2 HOURS In March of 1973 heavy rains came to Marion County - some 9.06 inches in 16 1/2 hours. According to reports from oldtimers, this was the most devastating of any they could recall. Walter RITCH said that behind his home the Buttahatche River was four feet higher than he could ever recall. Pride GANN's home next to Fulton Bridge was sealed off with water. GANN reported that the water was marked at 31 inches on his top floor, and that he suffered several thousand dollars damage to his new home. Water creeped into all the basements of the homes on the north side of the Buttahatche just south of Hamilton and caused several thousand dollar(sic) worth of damage to furnishings and fixtures. Homes on Ragsdale and Williams Creek were sealed off at the crest of the flash flood. Many roads were closed in the county and a serious slide took place on Lewis Hill on 78 South. Fulton Bridge was buried in water. Colonel E. L. PEARCE County Engineer reported that Fulton Bridge was built four feet above the high water mark and the flood brought the mark two feet above the bridge. According to PEARCE, Underwood Dam near Brilliant, which is County Road No. 8 was designed to handle the water and a spillway was installed to take the water in flood stage and the facilities served this purpose, but due to the excessive water in this flood the road was washed out for 20 to 30 feet. Logan Dam near Brilliant had a spillway on each end, and each was running full, but the crest of the flood caused the water to go over the top of the dam. PEARCE also said that one bridge across Luxapalilla River near Winfield was washed out. Extensive damage was done to all county roads and bridges and according to PEARCE, the damage was estimated to the $150,000 to bridges and $50,000 to $100,000 on the county roads. Eddie PEARCE of the County Engineers(sic) Office has furnished the following data: MARCH, 1973 24 HR. 9.06 in March 16, 1963. This amount actually tell(sic) in approximately 16 1/2 hours from 1:30 p.m. March 15 to 6:00 a.m. March 16. 48 Hr. - 10.11 in. 72 hr. - 10.19 in. Total for first 17 days - 13.37 in.