This Day in History: 1945-07-23

Mahwah escaped the worst of the flood damage from a very severe storm which did considerable damage in Ramsey and Saddle River. Route 202 was closed from the Brakeshoe plant to the NY border by three feet of water. The horses at the Mahwah Farms were standing in four feet of water and had to be led to safety. Over 30 chickens were drowned and many cellars flooded. Damage in Saddle River was heavy, especially to the new warehouse at William Tricker’s on Allendale Ave. Between 60,000-70,000 tropical fish were washed away. In Ramsey the heaviest damage was suffered by McPeek’s Department Store. The gym in the Ramsey Grammar School, which suffered $10,000 damage in a flood the year before was saved by the new drainage system and sump pump installed at the time of the earlier flood. (Bristow)