Item details
At a Glance
Files and images
Attached Materials
Story and context
Description
These photographs document the aftermath of severe flooding at Iaeger High School, believed to be from the devastating May 2, 2002 flood that struck McDowell County.
Inside the school, muddy floodwater covered the hallways and surrounded the familiar blue lockers. Outside, the athletic grounds and areas surrounding the school were buried beneath mud, fallen trees, branches, and other debris carried by the floodwaters.
The 2002 flood was the second major flood to strike McDowell County in less than a year, following the devastating July 2001 flood. The May storm affected communities throughout the county and damaged thousands of structures.
For former students, these images are especially striking. The hallways, lockers, gym entrance, football field, and other familiar places are still immediately recognizable—but transformed by the flood.
They preserve a difficult chapter in the history of Iaeger High School and the surrounding community, as well as another example of the challenges the people of McDowell County have faced and recovered from together.
One thing I'd do before publishing: label the date as “May 2002 (believed)” unless whoever submitted these photos can confirm it. There were two enormous floods in 2001–2002, so I wouldn't make the exact date absolute just from the pictures.
Inside the school, muddy floodwater covered the hallways and surrounded the familiar blue lockers. Outside, the athletic grounds and areas surrounding the school were buried beneath mud, fallen trees, branches, and other debris carried by the floodwaters.
The 2002 flood was the second major flood to strike McDowell County in less than a year, following the devastating July 2001 flood. The May storm affected communities throughout the county and damaged thousands of structures.
For former students, these images are especially striking. The hallways, lockers, gym entrance, football field, and other familiar places are still immediately recognizable—but transformed by the flood.
They preserve a difficult chapter in the history of Iaeger High School and the surrounding community, as well as another example of the challenges the people of McDowell County have faced and recovered from together.
One thing I'd do before publishing: label the date as “May 2002 (believed)” unless whoever submitted these photos can confirm it. There were two enormous floods in 2001–2002, so I wouldn't make the exact date absolute just from the pictures.
Community memory book
Memory Notes
Approved comments, context, and recollections shared by visitors and alumni.
No memory notes yet
Be the first to add a memory or note for this archive item.