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Newspaper
Middletown Journal
Location
Middletown, Ohio, United States of America
Date
Aug 03, 1958
Page
23
Middletown logged record July rainfall with 12.75 inches per Lonnie Gibson and 12.54 inches per C. Morningstar. They note January 1937 had the only higher month in their history, with gauges a mile apart causing small daily discrepancies.
Morningstar and Gibson chart Middletown rainfall for the year through July with totals from 1956 and recent months. They note July rainfall near a yearly peak and record daily highs and lows including a 94 degree high on July 3 and 65 degree low on July 20.
Farmers in Butler, Preble, Warren and Montgomery counties struggle as persistent rains ruin hay wheat and corn yields. Agricultural agents estimate losses exceed one million dollars with prices down and hay scarce. Time Magazine meteorology note and local forecasts foretell more wet weather and ongoing harvest delays.
Workers on Wildwood Elementary and Lemon-Monroe High School projects have lost about 20 000 in earnings this summer as rain and mud delay construction. Ground improvements for softball and tennis facilities are underway between the two schools, with several days lost due to weather and ground conditions.
Contractors filed 84 building permits in Middletown during July with valuations totaling 566 210. Frank Ludewig reports July’s total lags July 1957 and seven months total stands at 3 554 832 versus 3 567 052 last year. Teachers worked six weeks on jobs while stadium painting waits for dry weather and several school additions move toward completion.
The Miami Valley endured relentless rain in June and July dumping about 20 inches on Middletown and two feet on floodplains. The record deluge caused widespread damage across the four counties served by The Journal, soaking most economic indicators and touching nearly every community activity.
Weather disrupts Cincinnati Redlegs attendance by about 125000, six rainouts, and fan cool weather suppressing games across tennis, golf, and boating. Local tracks, horse racing, and church fast pitch league also suffer, with officials weighing plexi glass domes for stadiums.
The article notes a rainy summer driving Middletown families to seek sun in the Far West and Florida. It cites Marty Thomas of the Butler County Auto Club and reports increased vacationing, with many avoiding local rain and planning trips despite occasional weather issues. A Middletown man briefly escaped to southeastern Ohio but returned after rain persisted there. The Auto Club also notes flooded roads and picnic grounds prompting calls.
City parks and pools suffered minor damage from days of heavy rain. Mud cleaned from Sunset Park courts. washouts repaired at Goldman Park. Park attendance dipped with six morning and six evening sessions canceled in July. pools posted combined attendance of 2,463 and July income of 7,273.45 dollars, plus June 3,557.05.
The Journal notes that farmers in this part of the Miami Valley endured the greatest losses from a soggy season with wheat oats and hay yield down and only a puny corn harvest expected.
Heavy rains halted new building in Middletown with about 60 homes under construction inside city limits. Costs rose for homes churches and schools with significant delays and a $60,000 anticipated loss from the Middletown Shopping Center opening shift. Public works suffered as streets and sewers faced setbacks and nearby highways saw stoppages. Local merchants note weak clothing sales but lawn mower demand rose as grass grew.
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