WILKES-BARRE -- Forty years after Hurricane Agnes's fury hit Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, many people in Luzerne County still remember the devastation it brought.
Forty years ago, lives changed forever in the Wyoming Valley. The remnants of Hurricane Agnes moved into Pennsylvania, dumping too much rain in too little time.
The Susquehanna River left thousands homeless, and is the worst natural disaster the area has ever experienced.
Forty years later, the river looks peaceful. Now a levee system protects the city of Wilkes-Barre and much of the Wyoming Valley.
Matthew Jacobs and his wife still live in South Wilkes-Barre. He lives in the same home he evacuated forty years ago, and remembers the flood like it was yesterday.
“Nothing pleasant, I can tell you that. It was hurry up and get out, which we did and came back four to five days later to a mess,” said Matthew Jacobs of Wilkes-Barre.
Across the river in Forty Fort, home video, which has not been seen in 20 years, shows caskets unearthed by the Agnes Flood. Betty Murphy who still lives in Forty Fort remembers those graphic sights.
“There were coffins in the backyards, but that was pretty scary all those coffins popping out of the ground. I don`t know. I just don`t know if it ever happens again,” said Betty Murphy from Forty Fort.
“I wouldn`t be surprised. Nature is a bugger, you know?” said Matthew Jacobs, when asked if he thought a flood could happen again in the area.