Fifty years ago this month, Hurricane Agnes made landfall affecting communities on the U.S. East Coast from the Caribbean to Canada. One hundred and twenty-eight (128) people died from Hurricane Agnes. At the time it was the costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. with an estimated 2.1 billion dollars (1972 dollars) in damages. Because the hurricane was so devastating, the name Agnes was retired from the list of hurricane names. Agnes was the first named storm of the 1972 hurricane season. The hurricane made landfall on June 19 in Panama City, Florida. The storm traveled to North Carolina and went back out to sea. On June 22, Agnes made a second landfall near New York City.

Scottsville, VA – Library of Virginia photo

In Virginia, 13 deaths were caused by Agnes including four people in Richmond who drowned when their car plunged into the James River. Across the state at the height of the flooding, over 600 miles of highway were submerged, sewer and water facilities experienced severe damage, 95 houses were destroyed and 4,393 houses were damaged, and 205 small businesses were damaged or destroyed. Over 125 million dollars (1972 dollars) in damages was reported in the State.

Route 130, Glasgow, VA – Library of Virginia photo

Hurricane Agnes also made her presence felt in the Central Shenandoah Region as well. Waynesboro was one of the hardest hit areas with both its downtown and Club Court areas evacuated. In Rockbridge County, Buena Vista and Glasgow received flooding. Fifty families were evacuated in Glasgow. Buena Vista was prepared for Agnes with a new Emergency Evacuation and Warning Plan created after Hurricane Camille hit the area in 1969. Because of past experiences with Hurricane Camille still fresh in everyone’s memories, residents in the Region were vigilant as Agnes approached.

During the month of May, the CSPDC and our RideShare commuter assistance program are celebrating Bike Month! Throughout the month, we’re promoting the benefits of incorporating bicycling into your daily commute. The week of May 16^th is Bike Week, and Friday, May 20^th is Bike to Work Day. RideShare staff will be visiting bike shops throughout our region on Saturdays in May to talk with riders about bike commute benefits.

Biking to work instead of driving has great benefits for your health, and the planet. It also reduces congestion on our roads. Many communities in our region have bike trails for recreation, and bike lanes for safe biking to work, school, or errands.

Now is a great time to try your new commute – During the month of May, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit (DRPT) is hosting a contest and prize drawing for commuters who log their bike-to-work trip. Each trip logged increases your chances of winning a $100 gift card. To sign-up and start logging trips today, visit www.rideshareinfo.org and download the RideShare app. You can also find bike safety tips, bike laws, and other biking information at www.BikeVA.org

In addition to promoting biking to work, the RideShare program promotes other environmentally sustainable alternatives to your typical commute. RideShare offers carpool matching services, vanpool coordination, and resources to get you connected to local transit options.