The Great Dayton Flood of 1913
After the great storms in the midwest, which struck Omaha 100 years earlier, the United States was struck once again in the early 1900s with more natural disasters. The storm that triggered the storms in Omaha moved quickly through the plains and into the midwest. Saturated ground from torrential rains that dropped over 10 inches of rain in a brief period. With no where to go, the water quickly inundated streams and rivers.
Cities established along the rivers, notably the Great Miami and Ohio Rivers, were founded along banks to provide for more efficient travel and commerce. Dayton, OH was no exception being settle on the banks of the Great Miami river. Actually, the city was settled along not just one river but three tributaries that flowed into the Great Miami. On March 24, 1913, after the heavy rains, the river rapidly increased. Early on the early morning of March 25, the authorities were notified that the levees were almost breaking, and it wasn't long before water was flowing at 100,000 cubic feet per second. Dayton OH was constructed on the river's floodplain, so the water came through the streets of the downtown as if it were nothing more than another channel. Debris had actually been permitted to accumulate in the water under the city's bridges creating further issues by impeding the natural flow of the water.
Cities established along the rivers, notably the Great Miami and Ohio Rivers, were founded along banks to provide for more efficient travel and commerce. Dayton, OH was no exception being settle on the banks of the Great Miami river. Actually, the city was settled along not just one river but three tributaries that flowed into the Great Miami. On March 24, 1913, after the heavy rains, the river rapidly increased. Early on the early morning of March 25, the authorities were notified that the levees were almost breaking, and it wasn't long before water was flowing at 100,000 cubic feet per second. Dayton OH was constructed on the river's floodplain, so the water came through the streets of the downtown as if it were nothing more than another channel. Debris had actually been permitted to accumulate in the water under the city's bridges creating further issues by impeding the natural flow of the water.
Impacting Dayton forever
The water appeared on Main Street at 9 am, and within an hour it was 3 feet deep. By 1 pm it was 10 feet deep. Half of the city was flooded. Countless homes and business was ruined, and countless individuals were marooned in their homes. In lots of locations the water streamed too quick to permit a possibility to even swim. The boats in the town were all employed, though numerous had capsized since of the flood. Individuals escaped the flood ravaged city as best they could, some even strolling along power lines. The situation was made worse by fires triggered by open gas lines. The fires consumed numerous city blocks, requiring the residents to attempt to get away throughout the roofings of your homes. The water was so strong, many trees were uprooted and damaged.
Dayton wasn't the only city impacted by the water. Twenty other are cities were flooded, however Dayton was without a doubt the worst. Many individuals were stranded and without drinking water for over 2 days. The city contacted the National Guard, however it took them days to show up due the extensive flooding. John Patterson, who founded the National Cash Register Company, utilized the resources of the company to help the city and provide clean drinking water. His employees deployed over 500 boats to save those stranded. The offices of NCR where utilized as emergency shelters, offering accommodations, healthcare and dispersing countless meals.
The water peaked at 20 feet deep in downtown at 1:30 am on March 26. When the flood declined, it left much damage in its wake. 360 individuals had passed away. City services was brought to a dead stop. There were scarcities of food, and 65,000 were displaced,. 20,000 houses were ruined, and some structures were even moved off their structures by the force of the water. The damage to property was of $100 million ($2 billion in modern-day dollars). It took a year for the city to be reconstruct, however the financial effects were felt much longer. A book written not long after stated this: The Great Dayton Flood changed the history of the city forever due to the impact on livability and the resulting increase in crime rates.
Dayton wasn't the only city impacted by the water. Twenty other are cities were flooded, however Dayton was without a doubt the worst. Many individuals were stranded and without drinking water for over 2 days. The city contacted the National Guard, however it took them days to show up due the extensive flooding. John Patterson, who founded the National Cash Register Company, utilized the resources of the company to help the city and provide clean drinking water. His employees deployed over 500 boats to save those stranded. The offices of NCR where utilized as emergency shelters, offering accommodations, healthcare and dispersing countless meals.
The water peaked at 20 feet deep in downtown at 1:30 am on March 26. When the flood declined, it left much damage in its wake. 360 individuals had passed away. City services was brought to a dead stop. There were scarcities of food, and 65,000 were displaced,. 20,000 houses were ruined, and some structures were even moved off their structures by the force of the water. The damage to property was of $100 million ($2 billion in modern-day dollars). It took a year for the city to be reconstruct, however the financial effects were felt much longer. A book written not long after stated this: The Great Dayton Flood changed the history of the city forever due to the impact on livability and the resulting increase in crime rates.