Storms and tidal flooding is nothing new to the Harbor. In late November 1909, a severe 50 mile per hour southwest gale matched with a 16-foot tide struck our little coastal notch, creating havoc of a substantial nature and record setting high water. Once the water had subsided some and accountings were taken, the Aberdeen Herald hit the streets on Thursday, December 2, 1909, with a series of short dispatches detailing the damage and losses from around the County.

TEACHERS MAROONED — The Misses Stuart, Smith and Brande, teachers in the public schools, of Hoquiam, are at Pacific Beach, unable to reach this city to attend to their duties. They left Hoquiam Thursday to spend a few days by the sea, and the storm made it impossible for them to get back to the city.

Mrs. M.L. Watson, Mrs. E.L. McDonnell and Mrs. Walter Harper have been engaged to teach during the absence of the three teachers who are marooned.

BRIDGE IN DANGER — It is estimated that 4,000,000 feet of logs, valued at no less than $35,000, all from the Wynoochee River, have broken from the Chehalis boom. Many of them are lodged against the Northern Pacific railway bridge near Aberdeen.

The logs were stored in the Wynoochee River, owing to the overloaded condition of the Chehalis boom. Yesterday’s high water caused the boom in the Wynoochee to give way, and the logs swept down the river to the Chehalis and on to the harbor.

As long as the bridge holds there is a chance of saving many of the logs, but should the strain become too great, it may be necessary to dynamite the jam.

TULIPS RESIDENTS SAFE — Reports late Tuesday night from Tulips account for all of the families in that vicinity, except the household of George Horton. It is presumed, however, that he is safe in the second story of his residence.

About a dozen families were driven from their homes in Tulips, taking refuge at Bales’ camp, or the North Western camp. No houses or barns were washed away, but a good deal of livestock was lost.

DIES FROM EXPOSURE — Mrs. C.A. Morgan, wife of the postmaster at Tulips, and sister-in-law of Attorney F.L. Morgan of Hoquiam, died at 11 o’clock yesterday at Bales’ camp, where she had been driven by the flood.

Death occurred suddenly and is thought to have resulted from heart failure, brought on by excitement incident to the flood and the hurried removal of her family.

Mrs. Morgan was the mother of four sons, all of whom are small. She was but 29 years of age, and her untimely death is a blow to a large circle of relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan lived on Karr Avenue in Hoquiam, for several years prior to their removal to Tulips two years ago.

News of Mrs. Morgan’s death was brought to the city late Tuesday by her two nephews, Ralph and Russell Hoover, who left early Tuesday morning for Tulips to learn the condition of the residents there. The boys made their way on foot and by boat, as best they could, and were about exhausted when they returned to Hoquiam.

Frank L. Morgan left for Tulips yesterday, to assist in bringing the body of Mrs. Morgan to Hoquiam, where the funeral will be held. (The settlement of Tulips was located south of the Humptulips River, halfway between Hoquiam and Moclips.)

LUCKY ESCAPE — Westport — The schooner Lizzie Vance which has been anchored outside the breakers near the lighthouse was in danger of being blown ashore last night and remained in a precarious position until the arrival of the tug Traveler, which had been sent for by wireless from Aberdeen and which towed her into safe waters by 11 a.m. this morning. The schooner rode the storm safely and sustained no damage.

FURTH GOOD HIKER — (Aberdeen) Councilman Fred Furth is either a physical culture exponent of the first water, or else a zealous councilman. Stranded by the condition of the railroad at Porter, he made up his mind to be on hand at the council meeting last evening and walked from Porter. He reported the railroad tracks as being badly damaged along the way and farms devastated everywhere.

WHALES ON NORTH BEACH — One funny freak of the recent gale that hit the Harbor is disclosed by the fact that three enormous whales measuring over 75 feet were blown high and dry on the beach at Moclips and have been left stranded there.

The natives intend to cut up the whales and secure the whale bone and oil, which will prove valuable. As soon as this is done, the carcasses will be destroyed, as they are too near the settlement to permit of their decaying there undisturbed.

HOME SLIDES DOWN HILL — At an early morning yesterday morning a small cabin built on the hill near Pine Street in Aberdeen, had its foundation undermined and crashed to the ground. Although the owner was asleep in the house at the time he was not injured by the fall.

LAND SLIDE CREATES — During the height of last Monday’s storm a portion of the hill, back of the bunk house at Mack’s logging camp at Montesano, came sliding down engulfing the bunk house, the round house, and carrying a locomotive 75 feet. One man is missing. All the men in the bunk house escaped.

STREET FILLING RESUMED — Yesterday afternoon, work on filling in Market street and the alley between Market and First streets and H and I streets was resumed.

The high water of last week washed away the road bed near Highland Home (present day B Street area) addition, which stopped the work. This has been repaired and the dump trains are making regular trips.

WEATHER CHANGES TO COLD — A decided change took place in the weather last evening, and a severe frost set in. The kids were skating on the frost-covered sidewalks everywhere in the city, and more than usual care had to be taken to prevent slipping. Furs and muffs were called into requisition, and more than one man paid the attic a visit and got down his heavy overcoat.

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and eagerly awaits the arrival of stormy weather before 2019 closes out.