Hamilton County Engineer

William W. Brayshaw, P.E. - P.S.

Ohio River Flood of 1937

In 1937, southern Ohio faced one of the worst floods in its history.  The flood was particularly difficult for the city of Cincinnati, where flood levels reached almost eighty feet.  Communities along the Ohio River in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois also faced serious problems.  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.  The Ohio River Flood of 1937 caused more than twenty million dollars in damages.

One of the jobs of the newly created U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was to design and construct better flood control measures for the Ohio River.  These efforts have reduced the effect of smaller floods, but major floods can still create catastrophic results.

January 22nd  January 25th  January 26th  January 27th  January 29th
February 2nd  February 4th  February 5th  Aftermath

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                       Last modified: May 12, 2008