What caused the great flood of 1937?

In January of 1937, rains began to fall throughout the Ohio River Valley; eventually triggering what is known today as the “Great Flood of 1937”. Overall, total precipitation for January was four times its normal amount in the areas surrounding the river.

What is the highest the Ohio River has ever been?

52.15 feet
The Great Flood of 1937 sets the record for the highest the Ohio River has ever been. On Jan. 27, 1937, the water levels reached 52.15 feet at the upper gauge, according to National Weather Service data.

How long did the Ohio River flood of 1937 last?

nineteen days
As the flood waters rose, gas tanks exploded and oil fires erupted on the river. Parts of Cincinnati remained under water for nineteen days, and electricity and fresh water were in short supply. Many people lost their homes as a result of the flood.

What year was the big flood in Cincinnati?

1937
Although hundreds of communities suffered, the Great Flood of 1937 struck particularly hard in Cincinnati and Louisville. In Cincinnati, the river stayed above flood stage from January 18 until February 5 and reached its crest of 79.99 feet on Tuesday, January 26. Schools, stores, theaters and factories closed.

When was the Paducah flood?

1937 Flood
1937 Flood: Paducah was not the only place in Kentucky to be affected by the swell of the Ohio River in 1937, as this shows the water level reaching the tops of building in Louisville. The crest of the flood reached nearly sixty-one feet in Paducah.

What caused Kentucky flooding?

The bulk of the heavy rain that caused the flood fell during a three week period leading up to the flood. Rainfall during that time was over 500 percent of normal in southern Indiana, and around 400% of normal along the length of the Ohio River.

What happened in the Kentucky flood?

A woman in Kentucky was killed in flash flooding during heavy rain overnight that left about 10 people trapped in their homes and sent cars floating down streets, an official said.

Is Kentucky prone to flooding?

Flooding is Kentucky’s #1 most frequent and costly natural disaster. Not only is flooding Kentucky’s most common disaster, but its risk of happening can change over time. These changing risks can be due to new development in the watershed, changes in weather patterns, or new and better data used in creating the maps.

Why does Kentucky own the Ohio River?

The principal reason was to garner wealth from the trade that occured on the river. In 1792, the federal government determined that Kentucky owned the Ohio River along its border with Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The Supreme Court ruled that Kentucky had legal ownership to the Ohio River.

How tall is the flood wall in Paducah?

Flood Control System. The City of Paducah operates and maintains the concrete and earthen levee system that extends 12.25 miles (9.25 miles of earthen levee and 3.0 miles of concrete). The concrete wall in downtown Paducah is 14 feet in height. The system includes 12 pump stations and several pipe gates, pipes, and 47 vehicular openings.

What was the damage of the 1937 Paducah flood?

This flood led to some 27,000 citizens to be evacuated and caused several million dollars’ worth of damage. January 1937 opened with a two-week period of rain in Paducah, followed by a sleet storm. As residents were accustomed to rising waters, few were initially concerned.

Where was the 1937 flood in McCracken County?

Historical Marker #1053 in McCracken County commemorates the devastating flood of 1937. This flood led to some 27,000 citizens to be evacuated and caused several million dollars’ worth of damage. January 1937 opened with a two-week period of rain in Paducah, followed by a sleet storm.

When did the Ohio River flood in Kentucky?

1937 Flood: Paducah was not the only place in Kentucky to be affected by the swell of the Ohio River in 1937, as this shows the water level reaching the tops of building in Louisville. The crest of the flood reached nearly sixty-one feet in Paducah.