Society to Focus on 1934 Flood

January’s program for the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley will be the very popular “Crescenta Valley New Years Flood of ‘34” by local historian Art Cobery.

In November of 1933 a massive fire burned off the entire front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. By mid-December a torrential rain began, culminating with a massive cloudburst on New Years Eve. Just after midnight each of the local canyons, Dunsmore, Pickens and Hall-Beckley, disgorged the topsoil from the denuded mountains, and 20-foot high walls of mud and debris roared across Foothill Boulevard. The flood slammed into the sleeping community below where more than 40 lives were lost and hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged. The washes, flood control channels, and debris basins that are an ever-present part of our local landscape were built as a direct result of this dramatic chapter in our valley’s history. Cobery has become an expert on this little remembered tragedy that took place in this valley, and will share stories and photos that will thrill and inspire the audience.

As a special feature, the Society will be talking about the ’78 Shields Canyon flood, which also took a toll of life and property. Jackie Genofile will tell the story of how her home became a debris basis for the Pinecrest Development, and her family was nearly killed when their house filled to the ceiling with mud. Her story was written about in John McPhee’s “The Control of Nature”, a popular book used in colleges throughout the world. This free presentation will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the La Crescenta Church of Religious Science, at the intersection of Dunsmore Avenue and Santa Carlotta Street in La Crescenta.20060113iszxmsnc(LA)A MUDDY HOLE -- The ’34 flood tore huge gashes in some neighborhoods. This is the view south from Altura Avenue near Rosemont Avenue.20060113iszxlinc(LA)AFTER THE RAINS -- A debris flow roared down Pinecone Road in the Pinecrest area of La Crescenta after a 1978 rainstorm. Mud, rocks and stray cars filled the Genofile family’s yard, burying the house up to the roofline.