[Cz-L] The flood of 1927

Dear Czernowitzers:

I'm reprinting a post sent to the JewishGen discussion group, with
permission of the sender. Could Czernowitz have been "submerged" in
September 1927? I have a hard time imagining the city center
submerged, considering its elevation above river level.

Best wishes to everyone,

Bruce

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Subject: 1927 Flood in Galicia
From: "Ann Rabinowitz" <annrab_at_bellsouth.net>
Date: Sat, 26 May 2007 09:49:56 -0400

According to the September 9, 1927 issue of the Jewish Chronicle (London),
there was a catastrophic flood in Galicia in 1927. Perhaps it was what one
would call a 100 year flood here in the United States which is one which
happens once in a hundred years and tops all previous records.

Whole villages in the area of Lemberg, Przemysl, Strij, and Borislav were
destroyed. The Baron de Hirsch Foundation buildings in Galicia were
destroyed.

The entire province of Stanislav was flooded and in Lemberg, 132 villages
were under water. In Czernowitz, they were completely submerged.

Ica (Jewish Colonization Association) and the Joint (Joint Distribution
Committee) were called upon for emergency assistance and the Polish Cabinet
gave 2 million zlotys for the relief of the flood victims.

This most major and calamitous an event may have precipitated the movement
of individuals to emigrate and settle elsewhere.

It may also be a reason why records or family heirlooms or property cannot
be found from that time period as they may have been destroyed by the
flooding.

Ann Rabinowitz
annrab_at_bellsouth.net
Received on 2007-05-27 14:57:09