The Great Flood

Friday afternoon and evening on August 10th, 1928, Port Hope faced a dramatic series of events. At 1 PM, a downpour began, flooding streets and turning creeks into torrents. Diamond Creek overflowed, making roads nearly impassable. 

During the storm, water flooded the area behind the Mercantile Co., entering through the back door and flooding the basement. When O.H. Prieskorn opened the door, he was met by a wave. Gardens in low-lying parts of town were completely washed out, and streams turned into rivers.

In the midst of the chaos, heroic efforts were made to rescue elderly resident William Hebblewaite, who was found standing in waist-deep water in his living room.

As the storm raged on, the area between Main Street and the lake became a vast pond. The P.M. Depot and Port Hope Lumber Co. were surrounded by rushing water, while the Mercantile Co. experienced basement flooding. 

That same night, a fierce gale on the lake sent two barges ashore and sank another boat outside Harbor Beach harbor. 

This day is a testament to Port Hope's resilience and the unwavering spirit of its community. 

The Harbor Beach Times article published on Friday, August 17th, 1928.