Rainfall and ice jams caused the Chemung River and Newtown Creek to overflow in March, 1902. Catastrophic flooding was reported in Elmira, Horseheads, Big Flats, Corning, Painted Post, Ithaca, and Montour Falls. At the time, this was the worst flood the area had ever seen.
The front page of the Elmira Gazette, March 1, 1902. Courtesy of the Elmira Star-Gazette and New York State Historic Newspapers.
The local newspaper had to go to print early as the water flooded their building.
They report that the damage to the eastern part of the city is the worst: "nearly all of that section of the city east of Maddison avenue and north of Water street is a lake."
300 block East Water St. [1902]. Courtesy of the Steele Memorial Library and the Chemung County Historical Society.
Once again Water St was the first to feel the effects of the rising river. Here, on the 300 block, water can be seen up to the ankles of pedestrians.
Flooded drug store [1902]. Courtesy of the Steele Memorial Library and the Chemung County Historical Society.
Local businesses like this drug store were flooded.
Corner of Madison Ave. and Second St. [1902]. Courtesy of the Steele Memorial Library and the Chemung County Historical Society.
Houses became islands as the water rose.