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The Spring of 1913 was a memorable one for many people across the Eastern half of the nation. From March 23 - 27, 1913, the weather was relentless, dumping record breaking amounts of rain across the state. The rains brought numerous rivers up which took the lives of hundreds. According to The Ohio Historical Society at least 428 died in Ohio alone. Rain measurements were anywhere from around 2 inches in southern portions of Ohio to an area of 8 - 10 inches across much of the state's mid-section and then in the 4 - 5 inch range in the Northwestern corner of the state and over 40,000 homes were flooded.
Dayton suffered greatly when the Miami River flooded it's banks and swift rapids up to 10 feet deep swept through 14 square miles of downtown claiming 123 lives. Approximately 100 people died in Columbus as the Scioto River reached 9 to 17 feet deep in some neighborhoods. Next the Muskingum River engulfed much of Zanesville as it crested 27 feet above flood stage leaving much of the town under 20 feet of muddy water. The Maumee River left over 250 homes under water in Defiance. Water from the Ohio River topped the levees around Portsmouth putting over 4,000 homes underwater.
Taking a look here at home where we received between 8 and 10 inches of rain, many people watched in amazement as The Sandusky River washed away numerous homes and businesses. 19 people lost their lives that dreadful week. All but one bridge in town were washed away due to the buildup of debris. The one remaining bridge was the railroad bridge. The weight of the locomotives and coal cars managed to help it survive. The river finally crested at 20 feet on March 26th which still stands as the historical record. People downtown stood and watched as
rescuers were using a ladder, a boat and cables to retrieve people from balconies of the Shawhan Hotel. Eventually, the waters receded, the people began the clean up process and once again rebuilt all that was taken from them.
The river still creates a lot of problems after a long rainy Spring. Throw in the additional snowmelt and a recipe for disaster can still exist. Some people over the 100 years have watched the river surround their houses and properties as it comes up and goes back down. But Lord willing, we will never again have to experience another flood like "The Great 1913 Flood."
