Early in the episode, Bart refers to the Johnstown flood. As this episode aired in 1962, this is likely the Johnstown (Pennsylvania) flood of 1936. The flood was preceded by heavy rains beginning March 9, 1936, which did not stop until March 22. By the time nightfall on March 17, one-third of the city was under 17 feet of water. Twenty-five people lost their lives in the disaster, and damages were estimated at $43 million. Johnstown is somewhat known for its disastrous floods. This flood was preceded by the Johnstown flood of 1889, which included the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam, killing 2,209 people; it was succeeded by the Johnstown flood of 1977, which included six dams in the area overtopping and failing, killing 64 people.