On July 20, 1989, Beverly McBride interviewed Mary Litman for the Tucker County, West Virginia Flood Audio Recordings project. Mary Litman is a former resident of Parsons, West Virginia. At the time of the flood, Mary was living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

In the interview, Litman describes the initial news of the flood, which she received through a phone call from a relative in North Carolina. Despite initial reassurances from the state police that the situation in Parsons was under control, Litman’s intuition and continued inability to reach her family caused her considerable anxiety and distress. Her worry intensified as days passed without word from her relatives, leading to recurring dreams about water and a growing sense of helplessness. Litman recounts her relief upon finally receiving a call from her sister, who assured her that the family was safe despite the extensive damage to their homes. Litman describes her subsequent visit to the flood-stricken area, where she witnessed the devastation, including mud-filled homes and the loss of cherished belongings. The interview delves into the broader emotional and psychological impacts of the flood on Litman and her family. She reflects on her feelings of guilt for not being present during the disaster and the challenges faced by her family in the aftermath. Litman also discusses the resilience of her community, highlighting the efforts of her sister and other residents to provide food and clothing to those in need. She emphasizes the importance of external support and validation, such as the coverage by CBS News and the interviews conducted by Michael Kline, in helping the community process and recover from the traumatic event.