1933 Heavy Rain

In 1909, a “cyclone” (as it was referred to) swept through the Fowlerville area, causing considerable damage at the railroad tracks and to over 250 buildings. In my book, The Fowlerville Chronicles, the chapter on this storm is quite extensive, with weather maps provided for the day before, the day of, and the day after, as well nearly every picture I could find of the destruction and articles that were published in the local newspaper.

In my research for the book, I came across the following article that was published in The Fowlerville Review in 1933, after a particularly severe storm, although I never did come across any photographic evidence.

Heavy Rain Visits Fowlerville Sunday~~Severe Wind Causes Damage to Some Buildings and to Shade Trees~~A million dollar rain fell on Livingston county Sunday afternoon and night and Fowlerville and vicinity got their share. The ground was getting very dry from a long-continued drought and beans, potatoes, and corn were suffering for moisture.

Two heavy showers visited different sections in the afternoon and the one here at 5 o’clock was almost a cloud-burst, a great quantity of water falling in a short time. There was a strong wind accompanying the rain and great damage was done to shade trees and to a few buildings, and to power and telephone wires, mostly from falling limbs. It was the most severe windstorm seen in Fowlerville in several years.

S.T. Blackmer’s garage was badly damaged and two silos on Harry Calkin’s farm just south of town were caved in. Reports from other localities in the county tell of damage done to smaller buildings, but there was no severe loss in damaged buildings.

Many large tree limbs were broken off in this village. One fell and lodged against the Wm. J.B. Hicks dental office and residence and another fell across the roof of the Lasher house at the corner of Grand River and Ann streets, but no damage was done to the buildings. A broken live power wire on Grand Avenue in the north part of town caused that road to be blocked until repairs were made.

Another good shower came just before dark and a slow, steady rain fell for about an hour later in the night. Altogether, enough moisture fell to moisten the ground to a depth sufficient for immediate needs.

The rain came too late to help the barley, rye, and oat crops, but all other growing crops and pastures were aided immeasurably.