A history of Freedom cannot be complete without mention of the Ohio River and floods. Although Freedom can attribute its beginning and its growth to its position along the Ohio, it has also been the river that has caused-much damage and many losses. Freedom is usually one of the hardest hit flood areas in Beaver County.
FLOOD OF 1832 The flood waters were up to the ceiling in General Lacock's house in Freedom. His stables, out-houses, fence, and hay stacks were all swept away along with his valuable library. Somerecords report this flood being as bad as the disasterous flood of 1936.
FLOOD OF 1913 Vehicle traffic was impossible between Rochester, Freedom, Bridgewater and New Brighton. Even after the waters began to recede in other county communities, Freedom, Rochester and Bridgewater were still under many feet of water and had to wait longer to get back to normal.
FLOOD OF 1936 The worst flood in the history of the county was the 1936 flood. Freedom was one of the hardest hit areas and its schools were among the few that had to be closed. The flood waters reached a crest of 54.5 feet at eleven o'clock p.m. on March 18, 1936.
The Red Cross, firemen, police, and volunteers joined in rescue work and in supplying food to hundreds of homeless people. The flood forced the closing of water plants, and citizens were faced with the danger of a severe water shortage.
Darkness resulting from the interruption of electric current added terror to the situation as homes, buildings, and streets were without light except that furnished by candles, flashlights and kerosene lamps. All industrial plants were forced to close because of the absence of electricity, also train and bus service. Police patroled many areas to guard against looting.
FLOOD OF 1942 The flood of 1942 resulted in many homeless, with thousands of dollars in damages as flood waters reached close to the same proportions as those of the 1936 flood. Hundreds of war workers were unable to reach their places of employment. In some plants, many of the workers remained at their jobs to up production in the absence of those who were unable to relieve them.
Along with Bridgewater, Freedom was one of the most seriously affected areas in the county. The entire section of Third Avenue from Seventh to Eleventh Streets was closed.
FLOOD OF 1943 The damages and losses caused by this flood were heavy, as 50 homes and 46 businesses were directly affected by the high water. Bridgewater was the only other area in the county to suffer a greater loss.
FLOOD OF 1964 Although Freedom was not one of the hardest hit towns, Third Avenue between Eighth and Eleventh Streets was under 5 inches of water. However, traffic was permitted to proceed slowly.
FLOOD OF 1972 The flooding of the main street of Freedom made the business district the hardest hit in the area. Twelfth Street was covered with about four feet of water and traffic had to be diverted onto Harvey's Run Road. Residents on the North side of the closed street were forced to remove furnace motors due to flooded basements. All of Route 65 traffic was cut off because of flooding.