Heavy rain on Friday, May 22, 1942 led to the most devastating flood in the history of the Lackawaxen River Valley. The river and smaller streams overflowed their banks, and the flood broke in the dead of night, trapping citizens in their homes and carrying buildings, bridges, roads and people to their destruction. Delaware Street in Honesdale virtually vanished, with 12 of its 15 homes destroyed and nine residents lost. One young woman saved her life by grabbing a tree as she was being swept downstream. Thirty-four bridges in Wayne County were totally destroyed, and after the collapse of the Main Street Bridge, the north part of the borough was completely cut off from the rest of the town. Patients in the hospital, then located on Court Street, were moved to the upper floors as the water rose 15 feet in 15 minutes. The total death toll for Wayne County was 24, 12 of them from Honesdale. Two bodies were never recovered.

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Sundays 12 noon to 4 p.m. (museum only). For more information, see WayneHisto ryPA.org or call 570/253-3240.