It was Saturday afternoon, August 2, 1980, at the rolling
showgrounds of Portersville, Pennsylvania. This being the third day
of the 18th annual ‘Antique Power Show’ and one more day to
go, activity was at an all time high. As you looked down from the
main entrance, the festivities appeared like a colorful ant farm of
‘Portersville Puffers’! Weather had been
rather co-operative for 3 days now and things were going fine.
Crowds of friendly people were enjoying steam operated train
rides, saw milling, threshing, baling, well drilling, etc. Many
spectators smiled with the afternoon parade of antique tractors,
autos, trucks, and old equipment. Others could be seen bargaining
in the flea markets, admiring the ‘Smithy,’ petting the
animals, or just browsing in the main exhibit hall.
The Ladies Auxiliary had just finished serving their delicious
‘Thresherman’s Dinner’ in the food pavillion. Most
folks were through eating.
I had returned to the old gas station which I had been managing
somewhat during the show, to chat with some friends and pump gas
for the exhibitors. My friend, Don Ruth, an antique car buff,
mentioned the strange dark clouds not far off. He said we should
cover up his Model ‘T’ touring just in case of rain. It sat
outside in front of the pumps. With one look at the sky and feeling
the wind, I knew there was no time for talking. People were running
for cover in all directions. We just tied down the last tarp rope
when the ensuing storm hit. Don, his wife Millie, my family and
about six other people plus myself piled into the Portersville
Petroleum Station. This was about 7:00 P.M.
Peering out the front windows, flea market tents were seen
whipping violently, boxes flying by, trees bending over, and sheets
of rain pelting down a real deluge. To the side of the station the
small bridge with a 2′ diameter drain was gulping muddy water.
In about 10 minutes the rushing water from the hillsides overran
the drain and rose about 6′ over the bridge road. We later
learned that the lower showgrounds area was handling about 3 to 4
feet of water under the trestle. Meanwhile inside, I wondered to
myself if the roof could hold up to the wind. You see, the station
construction was just finished the week before the show opened. The
roof was old corrugated sheet metal and the rest of the building
was other used materials. As the rain continued its deafening roar
on the roof, it was also creeping under the door! The door sill is
1? above ground level and protected in front by a 12′ long
overshot roof that’s 12′ wide. Real wind velocity!
Looking out through the side windows, some 40 gas tractors were
holding their own to the left and on the right were nearly 200 gas
engines staying ‘glued to the ground’ as they’re famous
for doing! Through the torrents I could see one old Hercules still
running fine just like nothing special was happening!
Well, in about 20 minutes the storm began to subside. Outside
the station the newly spread limestone had disappeared as little
rivers went by. Brave folks were now venturing out from buildings
here and there. Praise the Lord there were no injuries and little
property damage. Later on the square dancing began and all was well
again.
Sunday, the skies cleared and we experienced a larger crowd in
the mud than in previous days! Parking was a problem, but we found
‘new places!’ ‘Antique Power’ buffs were busy
enjoying themselves at Portersville in August, 1980 once again.
 IN THE STORM){kind=link}