From the archives: The Election Day Flood of '85
The Election Day Flood of 1985 brought mayhem and mud to the Lynchburg area. The churning James River, 17 feet above flood stage, raced through the Hill City in the aftermath of heavy rains brought by remnants of Tropical Storm Juan. Some buildings burned, plants flooded and — for a time — it looked as if the old Williams Viaduct was going to fall victim to the raging water beneath it. Miraculously, despite the damage, no lives were lost.
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The Owens Illinois plant at Big Island on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 1985 as the churning James River, well above flood stage, raced through the Hill City in the aftermath of heavy rains brought by remnants of Tropical Storm Juan.
The Lower Basin in downtown Lynchburg on the afternoon of Nov. 5, 1985.
The Appalachian Power Co. hydroelectric plant at Reusens Dam was swamped by the James River on Nov. 5, 1985.
Surging James River floodwaters engulfed nearly all of Williams Viaduct and surrounding industries by early afternoon Nov. 5, 1985.
Treasure Island, in the James River west of downtown Lynchburg, was inundated by the river by the afternoon of Nov. 5, 1985. Several of theses buildings were washed off their foundations and pushed into the Williams Viaduct in downtown Lynchburg. It was feared the impacts might topple the old bridge, but it survived the flood to eventually be replaced by the John Lynch bridge.
Treasure Island, in the middle of the James River west of downtown, was nearly submerged by the afternoon of Nov. 5, 1985. The facility was used by Liberty University to house its football program. The university still owns the property, but it is unused. Several of these buildings were washed down the river and impacted the Williams Viaduct.
The Williams Viaduct was already in poor condition when the flooding began, and it was feared the flood might topple it. The old bridge, since replaced by the John Lynch Bridge, withstood the flood and continued to carry traffic across the James River for many years.
A railroad tanker lay against part of Griffin Pipe Nov. 7, 1985 as the James River receded. At the time nobody knew what was in the tanker.
The James River was rising toward the top of the Williams Viaduct on November 5, 1985. The Williams Viaduct occupies roughly the same space as the John Lynch Bridge today. It was feared that the old bridge would collapse under pressure from the river, but despite water rising nearly to the top of the arches, the bridge withstood and was reopened to traffic a few days later.
The south fork of the Tye River was already roaring on Nov. 4, 1985.
A warehouse beside the Williams Viaduct, smolders Nov. 5, 1985 after catching fire late the previous night. Williams Viaduct occupied roughly the same space as the John Lynch Bridge.
Water had already engulfed Griffin Pipe Products plant in the Lower Basin by 7:15 a.m. Nov. 5, 1985.
A bus sits submerged beside the railroad office in the Lower Basin on Nov. 5, 1985. In the foreground a 3,800-lb. roll of paper from Mead Corporation floats by.
Looking east from the Williams Viaduct on Nov. 5, 1985.Â
Hydro Street in the Reusens area of Lynchburg, very close to the river, was heavily flooded by the morning of Nov. 5, 1985.
The Appalachian Power Co. hydroelectric plant at Reusens dam was swamped by the James River Nov. 5, 1985.
Buildings in the Upper Basin were flooded by the early afternoon of Nov. 5, 1985.
The James River left a thick coat of mud inside homes on River Road in Amherst, across the river from downtown Lynchburg.
The interior of the J.W. Wood, Co. warehouse on Nov. 5, 1985. The building now is used by Amazement Square.
Employees of J.W. Wood, Co. piled soiled and damaged grocery products behind the warehouse, Nov. 7, 1985. The building is now home to Amazement Square.
Gerald Bryan hoses down office furniture from J.W. Wood, Inc. on the corner of Jefferson and Ninth streets. The Building is now home to Amazement Square.
Workers at Mead Paperboard Products, weary from cleanup duty, demonstrated a grim sense of humor Nov. 15, 1985.
This gumball machine was definitely out of order at Conner Produce in the aftermath of the flooding.
Mud coated everything inside the main office of Griffin Pipe Company just a few yards from the river.
Aided by lights on the night of Nov. 10, 1985, workers remove a wall at Helme Tobacco Company and remove smoldering bails of tobacco.
Debris littered downtown for weeks, even as workers got busy restoring power. This pair of electricians were working on lower Ninth Street on Nov. 7, 1985.
Clad in protective suits, workers examine barrels that washed down river during the flood. This photo was taken on Nov. 12, 1985 near Fishing Creek in downtown Lynchburg.
National Guard troops patrol the Williams Viaduct in downtown Lynchburg as a building smolders in the background Nov. 5, 1985.
Randolph Ricketts cleans the kitchen of his home on River Road in Amherst County, Nov. 7, 1985. Water rose over the top of his home.
Red Proffitt cleans the floor of his store, Red and Dot's Pier, Nov. 8, 1985. His store is located on River Road in Amherst County.
Well into the crisis, Robert Martin, left, and Fire Chief William A. Anderson held a press conference Nov. 8, 1985.
Chris Day's expression summed up post-flood feelings on Nov. 11, 1985. He was taking a break from cleaning at The Big Island Hotel.
The closet that Boo Black had recently added to her Gladstone home was lifted off its foundation by rising water.
National Guard troops patrol the Williams Viaduct across the James River on Nov. 5, 1985.
Knight Smiley stands outside his office at The Smiley Block Company on the Amherst County side of the James River Nov. 11, 1985. The high water mark is visible over his left shoulder.
Ten people were rescued from Treasure Island in the James River as waters began to rise the night of Nov. 4, 1985.
Ten people were rescued from Treasure Island in the James River as waters began to rise the night of Nov. 4, 1985.
Ten were rescued from Treasure Island in the James River as waters began to rise the night of Nov. 4, 1985.
To paraphrase Prince, should the citizens of Lynchburg start to worry like it’s 1985?
Lynchburg has published a map on its website that shows streets that potentially could flood during the ongoing inclement weather.