Johnstown Flood
The Johnstown flood in Pennsylvania occurred on May 31, 1889. After days of torrential rain, which released 14 million cubic meters of water, the South Fork Dam ruptured. The dam was 14 miles upstream of Johnstown, and its failure caused a flow rate equal to that of the Mississippi River. With a speed of 40 MPH and a height of 60 feet, the muddy water filled with debris overtook several towns. The flood killed 2,209 people and caused $17 million in damages. Year: 1889 Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania Deaths: 2,209 Damages: $17 million
New Orleans Levee Failure
Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans and Mississippi, and on August 29, 2005, 50 levees and flood walls failed. The Army Corps of Engineers was faulted for its inadequate design and construction. Over 80% of New Orleans was flooded, destroying 100,000 homes and businesses. It’s still unknown how many people died from these levees failing, but it’s estimated to be around 600. $161 billion in damages resulted after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the levee failure. Year: 2005 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Deaths: 600 Damages: $161 billion
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Heavy rainfall in the summer of 1926 caused the Mississippi River to flood for several months in 1927. The flooding broke levees along the river in 145 places. Over 27,000 square miles of land were underwater, 700,00 people went homeless, 500 people died, and monetary damages exceeded $1 billion. More than 200,000 African Americans lost their homes and joined the Great Migration. Most of the people affected lived in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Year: 1927 Location: Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana Deaths: 500 Damages: $1 billion
St. Francis Dam
The St. Francis concrete dam, located in Los Angeles County, CA, failed due to design flaws and defective soil. This dam was an integral part of the aqueduct system in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, about 40 miles northwest of downtown LA. The dam collapsed on March 12, 1928, triggering a massive flood that killed 431 people and caused around $7 million in damages. People still consider the dam collapse one of the worst engineering disasters of the 20th century. Year: 1928 Location: Los Angeles, California Deaths: 431 Damages: $7 million
Ohio River Flood of 1937
What could be worse than enduring the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl? How about a devastating flood that leaves you homeless with fewer family members. Water levels began to rise in the Ohio River at the beginning of January 1937. Heavy rains were falling nonstop, and the river’s banks were overflowing by mid-January. By the end of January, multiple cities were underwater, from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois. Over almost a month, $500 million in damages accrued, one million people were homeless, and 385 people died. Year: 1937 Location: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia Deaths: 385 Damages: $500 million
Great Dayton Flood
In March of 1913, severe winter rain storms pounded the midwest. Within a few days, up to 11 inches of water fell into the Great Miami River Watershed. Soon after, the river and its streams began to overflow, the levees failed, and downtown Dayton, Ohio, was quickly flooded with 20 feet of muddy water. The amount of water that passed through the river channel during the storm was equal to the monthly flow from Niagara Falls. An estimated 360 died, and property damage soared by over one million. Year: 1913 Location: Dayton, Ohio Deaths: 360 Damages: $1 million
Black Hills Flood of 1972
Fifteen inches of rain poured down over a small mountain range, known as the Black Hills, close to Rapid City, South Dakota. The Canyon Lake Dam, meant to hold back overflowing waterways, failed in the late evening of June 9, 1972. Severe flooding of residential flooding resulted in 238 deaths, 3,057 injuries, 1,335 homes destroyed, and over $160 million in damages. Year: 1972 Location: Rapid City, South Dakota Deaths: 238 Damages: $160 million
Los Angeles Flood of 1938
Between February and March of 1938, two Pacific storms swept across the Los Angeles basin, generating a year’s worth of rainfall in a few days. Multiple rivers burst their banks and flooded the coastal plain, valleys, and the metro area. Around 115 people died and caused $78 million in damages, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in LA history. Year: 1938 Location: Los Angeles Deaths: 115 Damages: $78 million
Great Flood of 1913, Columbus, Ohio
On March 24, 1913, over five inches of rain began to fall on Ohio. Several hours later, the major rivers were flooded, and soon after, first responders were standing in knee-high water. The state levee collapsed under the water’s pressure and poured into the lower elevation areas of Columbus (Franklinton), covering it in almost 17 feet of water. People climbed trees to escape the fast-moving flows, but some were so exhausted they fell into the water. Approximately 93 people died, and it’s unknown the number of damages accrued. Year: 1913 Location: Columbus, Ohio Deaths: 93 Damages: Unknown
Johnstown Flood of 1977
On July 9, 1977, heavy showers of rain and flash floods poured down over the city of Johnstown for 24 hours. Six dams in the area failed, and water began pouring over the top and rushing into the city and nearby towns—millions of gallons of water flooded into the heavily populated area and created a depth of six feet. The estimated property damage was around $340 million, and 84 people lost their lives. Year: 1977 Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania Deaths: 84 Damages: $340 million
Austin Dam Failure
The Bayless Dam was known as “The dam that could not break.” After a week of rainstorms, the dam broke on September 30, 1911. The water abruptly flowed down the valley and crashed into the residents of Austin, Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 people were in town that day, and 78 perished under the rushing water and fast-moving debris. The destruction caused $10 million in property damage. Year: 1911 Location: Austin, Pennsylvania Deaths: 78 Damages: $10 million
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