Dale County AlArchives Photo Place.....Little Ariton Floods February 19, 1975
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Christine Thacker CGT714@AOL.com February 21, 2005, 9:43 pm

Source: The Southern Star
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THE SOUTHERN STAR Wednesday, FEBRUARY 16,2005-4B


 30 Years Ago, Feb. 19, 1975
		"
   Pea River Floods; U. S. 231 Closed To Traffic

  U.S.231 12 miles north of Ozark was closed to traffic at midday Tuesday as 
the Pea River spilled from its banks, covering sections of the highway, 
flooding homes, and, commercial establishments in the vicinity.
 A heavy downpour Sunday and Monday in the headwater region of the Pea River in 
Barbour County sent the river steadily rising to its highest crest in over 40 
years. 
  Estimates that the river was several feet above flood stage Tuesday afternoon 
and still rising, forced many residents around the settlement of " Little 
Ariton to evacuate their homes.
  Members of the Ariton National Guard unit, were called to active duty to 
assist in evacuation and flood relief work Ozark's National Guard was on 
standby but not needed at this time. 
  The owner of a service station at Little Ariton, about a quarter of a mile 
south of the Pea River,said that the water was just at his doorway early Monday 
night, but by 11:30 a. m. Tuesday morning he was wading waist deep into the 
building to inspect conditions.
  The Horace Bell family, who live a short distance away on old 231 leading 
into Ariton, said they were packed and ready to move early Tuesday afternoon, 
but the water had not risen to the level of their home at that time.
  Thirty eight cattle are believed to have drowned in the vicinity.
  Assisting in rescue, evacuation. and traffic direction are members of the 
Dale County Sheriff's Dept., Dale County Commission and Engineer Divisions and 
Alabama Highway Patrol.
  Two families, the Hughes family and the Jacobs family, were flooded and 
removed their furniture and non electrical furnishings from their home. These 
families have been housed with friends in the Rocky Head community.
  Two trailers were threatened by the flood water.
  Mrs. Jewell Hudson, Director of Pension and Securities and Co-ordinator of 
the public and private agencies has worked closely with Mrs. Emma P. Flowers, 
Dale County Co-ordinator of Civil, Defense. Mrs. Flowers has enlisted the 
assistance of the Ariton National Guard, Dale County Commission, Highway 
Patrol, Ozark Police Department, the County Sheriff's Office and the Civil 
Defense Co-ordinator in Ariton, Mrs. Jonnie Mae Tyler.
  The Pensions and Securities Office have furnished food for 100 people, 
workers on the site, who are assisting the flood victims in removing the 
furnishings from their homes in the thteatened area. Red Cross has also 
assisted in feeding the local residents affected by this disaster.
  Mrs. Hudson has appointed Mrs. Gus Blackweil as the Emergency Operations 
Supervisor on the site which is headquartered in the Rocky Head Community 
Center. Mrs. Dale Fuller is the Supervisor of the Office. Workers assisting 
Mrs. Hudson at the' Pensions and Securities Office in Ozark are Mrs. Grace 
Clenney, Supervisor and Marian Wilkinson, case worker.
  Food was furnished by the following stores: Dairy King and Dairy Queen, 
hamburgers; M.O. Carroll Warehouse and Kwik Chek Groceries, sandwhich 
materials; Holiday Inn, who made and wrapped all the' sandwiches; and Piggly 
Wiggly for the coffee, cream and sugar. Mrs. Etta Clair Novak loaned a large 
coffee urn for the men evacuating the people.
  Patricia Hughes from the Pensions and Securities Office in Ozark delivered 
the food to the Rocky Head Community Center and to the flood victims in the 
community. The workers from the Pensions and Securities Office worked until 8 
p.m Tuesday night.
  Mrs. Hudson alerted her staff of the pOssible flooding of the Choctawhatchee 
River in Newton and Clayhatchee area on Tuesday evening. Tuesday afternoon 
Newton was advised of a 29 foot crest on this river on Wednesday. This is 10 
feet above flood stage.
  Mrs. Hudson and Mrs. Clenney would like to express their thanks to the many 
people of Dale County. who have donated their time and food to the flood 
victims and for their willingness to assist those who have suffered this 
disaster.




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