Cities of any size all experience their fair share of disasters and Evansville is no exception. On January 7, 1937, the Ohio River at Evansville rose to 52.74 feet, which is 19 feet above flood stage. This disaster devastated over 7,000 homes in Evansville alone. One of the contributing factors to the flood was a record rainfall in January of 14.78 inches. That is the largest monthly rainfall amount in Evansville history.

The other factor that weighed in heavily was snow that was melting in the Allegheny Mountains. The melted snow began to overwhelm streams, rivers and their tributaries.

Louisville got hammered first. Reports of people sitting on the rooftop of their home waiting to be rescued started Evansville residents to believe the same was in store for our city.  Not too far after the flooding of Louisville, Evansville was in the cross-hairs.  The city already had sewers that were overrun by the melting of a large previous snowfall and the water had nowhere to go. The proverbial s**t was hitting the fan.

My grandparents, who lived in the 800 block of Washington Ave., told me that the water rose to the point that it was lapping at the front door of their home; this with an elevated porch. Anything South of Washington Ave. was completely inundated with flood waters.

Bellemeade and Lodge Avenue
Bellemeade and Lodge Avenue - Williard Library
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Alhambra Theaterb- Willard Library
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Aerial View of the city - Willard Library
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Aerial View of the city - Willard Library
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Aerial View of the city - Willard Library
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Adams Ave at Washington School - Willard Library
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I've posted various photos of the city during the flood of 1937.  The photos come courtesy Willard Library.  Also check out the excellent video below from Ed Rech that is posted on You Tube. Below that, another You Tube video called Evansville over the years

 

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