The impact of Hurricane Agnes on June 22, 1972, on Berks County will be commemorated at a program on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 7 p.m. at The Yocum Library at Reading Area Community College.
Retired Reading Fire Chief William Rehr, a volunteer firefighter who assisted in many serious calls during the 1972 natural disaster, will present and illustrate his talk with a number of astonishing photos.
Berks County Historian George M. Meiser IX will provide a historical context for Hurricane Agnes by highlighting other major flood events in the past two centuries, including some photos from a devastating 1869 flood.
Following the presentations, attendees will be asked to share their memories of Hurricane Agnes.
June 22, 1972 was the day the hurricane hit Berks and much of central and eastern Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia, causing catastrophic flooding, displacement of residents and businesses, and 117 fatalities. Estimated damage (in 1972 dollars) was $3.1 billion in a dozen states.
The program is a collaboration between the Berks History Center and the Reading Area Fire Museum and host, Reading Area Community College.
The program is free but seating is very limited. Registration is required by calling the Berks History Center at 610-375-4375 during regular Museum hours: Wednesday to Saturday 9am – 3pm. Deadline for registration is June 21, 2022.
