LIFE

1962 Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva: See the damage

Salisbury Daily Times
Bethany Beach neighborhoods were covered with debris following the Storm of '62.
Bethany Beach neighborhoods were covered with debris following the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 7, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 7, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
Women are carried through the mud as Island Baptist Church is evacuated during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 on Chincoteague.
Women are carried through the mud as Island Baptist Church is evacuated during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962 on Chincoteague.
File Image
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
A man on a tractor tries to navigate through the high waters following the Storm of '62.
A man on a tractor tries to navigate through the high waters following the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Bethany Beach residents pile into a boat to find their way around town following the Storm of '62.
Bethany Beach residents pile into a boat to find their way around town following the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
People gather in a shelter during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
People gather in a shelter during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 16, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 16, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
Roadways were covered in sand following the Storm of '62.
Roadways were covered in sand following the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 10, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 10, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
Twenty-eight out of 29 oceanfront homes in Bethany Beach, and every oceanfront home in South Bethany, were destroyed during the Storm of '62.
Twenty-eight out of 29 oceanfront homes in Bethany Beach, and every oceanfront home in South Bethany, were destroyed during the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
Damage was done to many homes in Rehoboth Beach as a result of the Storm of '62.
Damage was done to many homes in Rehoboth Beach as a result of the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 12, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 12, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 13, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 13, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
In Bethany Beach, roads were flooded for days following the Storm of '62. Water levels were 3 to 6 feet above sea level as a result of the storm.
In Bethany Beach, roads were flooded for days following the Storm of '62. Water levels were 3 to 6 feet above sea level as a result of the storm.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 6, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 6, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
An oceanfront home topples into the surf during the Storm of '62.
An oceanfront home topples into the surf during the Storm of '62.
Image Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
Rehoboth storm damage in 1962.
Rehoboth storm damage in 1962.
Image Courtesy Of Gloria Gwens
The Milton Theatre was flooded during the March storm of 1962 and was closed for more than three decades.
The Milton Theatre was flooded during the March storm of 1962 and was closed for more than three decades.
Delaware Public Archives Image
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 8, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 8, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
Main Street on Chincoteague after the 1962 storm.
Main Street on Chincoteague after the 1962 storm.
Image By Bob Conklin From The Ollie Reed Collection
After the storm of 1962 passed Ocean City, bulldozers cleaned up sand piled up on Fourth Street.
After the storm of 1962 passed Ocean City, bulldozers cleaned up sand piled up on Fourth Street.
Image Courtesy Of The Ocean City
This vintage photo, taken by island native, Bob Conklin, illustrates the extent of the damage inflicted on Chincoteague by the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. The tidal surge ripped off the entire rear of the store.
This vintage photo, taken by island native, Bob Conklin, illustrates the extent of the damage inflicted on Chincoteague by the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. The tidal surge ripped off the entire rear of the store.
Image By Bob Conklin From The Ollie Reed Collection
A U.S. Navy helicopter lands in a flooded Chincoteague Island parking lot after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
A U.S. Navy helicopter lands in a flooded Chincoteague Island parking lot after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
People gather in a shelter during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
People gather in a shelter during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
An aerial photograph of a flooded Wallops Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Wallops Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
File Image
This photo of the Western Auto on Chincoteague shows the extent of damage inflicted to many of the coastal businesses during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. The tidal surge ripped off the entire rear of the store.
This photo of the Western Auto on Chincoteague shows the extent of damage inflicted to many of the coastal businesses during the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. The tidal surge ripped off the entire rear of the store.
File Image
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 9, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
The Salisbury Times front cover for March 9, 1962, following the Ash Wednesday storm on Delmarva.
Salisbury Daily Times Archives
Flood water from Hurricane Sandy creeps up on the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962's mark at the oyster house in Bayford, Va. on Sunday morning, Oct. 28, 2012.
Flood water from Hurricane Sandy creeps up on the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962's mark at the oyster house in Bayford, Va. on Sunday morning, Oct. 28, 2012.
Staff Photo By Jay Diem
Skeleton of a home on Fenwick Island after the Storm of 1962.
Skeleton of a home on Fenwick Island after the Storm of 1962.
Courtesy Of The Edward H. Nabb R
Only the skeleton of the Ocean City Boardwalk remains after the Storm of 1962
Only the skeleton of the Ocean City Boardwalk remains after the Storm of 1962
Courtesy Of The Edward H. Nabb R
Remains of Coronado Motel in Ocean City after the Storm of 1962.
Remains of Coronado Motel in Ocean City after the Storm of 1962.
Courtesy Of The Edward H. Nabb R
Residential areas were covered with debris following the Storm of 1962.
Residential areas were covered with debris following the Storm of 1962.
Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
Following the Storm of '62, the National Guard held posts up and down the coast to prevent looting.
Following the Storm of '62, the National Guard held posts up and down the coast to prevent looting.
Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall
In Bethany Beach, the Storm of '62 caused more than $2 million in damage.
In Bethany Beach, the Storm of '62 caused more than $2 million in damage.
Courtesy Of Bethany Beach Town Hall.
A brave beachgoer surveys the damage caused by the Storm of '62.
A brave beachgoer surveys the damage caused by the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Bethany Beach Town Hall.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Oceanfront homes in Bethany Beach and South Bethany were ripped from their pilings during the Storm of '62.
Oceanfront homes in Bethany Beach and South Bethany were ripped from their pilings during the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Bethany Beach Town Hall
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Of The Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Damage was done to many homes in Rehoboth Beach as a result of the Storm of '62.
Damage was done to many homes in Rehoboth Beach as a result of the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Destruction in Rehoboth Beach from the Storm of '62.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society.
Damage caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Damage caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Damage caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Damage caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Damage to homes caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Damage to homes caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
Damage to homes caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Damage to homes caused by the Storm of '62 in Rehoboth Beach.
Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Historical Society
In Bethany Beach, roads were flooded for days following the Storm of '62. Water levels were 3 to 6 feet above sea level as a result of the storm.
In Bethany Beach, roads were flooded for days following the Storm of '62. Water levels were 3 to 6 feet above sea level as a result of the storm.
Courtesy Bethany Beach Town Hall
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962.
Salisbury Daily Times File Photo
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. Island residents parked their vehicles on the highest spots the could find to avoid the flood waters.
An aerial photograph of a flooded Chincoteague Island after the Ash Wednesday storm of 1962. Island residents parked their vehicles on the highest spots the could find to avoid the flood waters.
Salisbury Daily Times File Photo