07/13/2025
💔 Remembering the 1924 Butler Flood: A Father’s Heartbreak, A Town’s History
On the night of June 13, 1924, a violent flash flood swept through the valley town of Butler, Tennessee, forever changing countless lives.
Among those caught in the storm was Cecil Lewis, who survived the flood with his two young sons—but lost his beloved wife and their other children, including their one-year-old baby. The photograph of Cecil and his two sons at the Museum of Butler remains one of the most powerful and heartbreaking reminders of this tragedy in the Watauga Valley’s history.
Picture in comments of Cecil Lewis with his two sons - you can view it at the museum.
It’s a powerful reminder of the deep human toll the 1924 flood took on our valley—and why these stories still matter today. The loss he endured echoes through time, especially in light of the flooding we experienced last year and the devastation we continue to see in other communities.
By connecting hearts to the lives of those who came before us, we honor their memory and help preserve the history that shaped who we are.
Sixteen years later, a hurricane would sweep through this valley again but, this time, the future of this beautiful area would change forever. Experience the “town that wouldn’t drown” for yourself!
📍 Come visit the Museum of Butler to experience this piece of East Tennessee history. Open on Saturdays & Sundays.
🎥 Watch this moving video tribute to the flood and those who lived through it:
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On the night of June 13, 1924, what appeared to be a summer thunderstorm in Carter County, Tennessee, transformed into one of the most devastating flash floo...
