The Columbus fire department helped save many stranded people.

A double exposure which makes it difficult to ascertain the veracity of this photo.

An artist's rendition of the suffering caused by the flooding.

An artist's rendition of the overturning of a relief boat attempting to save people from flooding along the Miami River.

Unidentified bodies in the morgue at Dayton after the flood.

Cover of "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. This book is a photo essay of flood problems on the Mississippi and the necessity to build adequate levees. In some respects it is a social essay as well. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Frontispiece to "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox. This image is typical of the suffering caused by the floods of 1915 where poor tenant farmers were displaced and survived after being stranded along the levees or other high ground. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

President Woodrow Wilson commenting on the flooding on the Mississippi and the necessity to build levees. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A . Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Republican Presidential Candidate (1912) William Howard Taft endorsing building levees on the Mississippi River. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Progressive Party Presidential Candidate (1912) Theodore Roosevelt endorsing building levees on the Mississippi River. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

The drainage basin of the Mississippi River. Area 1,240,050 square miles. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Map showing the alluvial delta of the Mississippi River damaged by floods. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Levee building along the Mississippi River. The levees are not completed. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Clearing land. We ask for protection, not reclamation. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Reclamation. Reclamation follows protection. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Home of cotton. World's finest cotton plantations. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Land of corn. Acres of corn everywhere. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Alfalfa fields. Great pastures of growing alfalfa. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Sugar industry. Extensive sugar plantations exist. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Rice culture. Richest fields of rice abound. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Orange growing. Varied industries including the oyster industry and the vegetable gardens of the Louisiana portion of the Mississippi Delta. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915.

Timber industry. The delta yields valuable timber. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Growing cities. Prosperous cities need protection. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

The crevasse. Waters rush through with a roar. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Caving banks. Carried away by caving banks. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Sand boils. The beginning of the break. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Sloughing. The softened section slides out. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Emergency work. Strengthened by sacks for miles. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Desperate struggles. Prompt action prevents many breaks. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Refugees. Driven from their homes. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Homeless. Thousands suffer by Nation's neglect. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Relief work. Rations and supplies are contributed. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Stock lost. The loss of live stock is great. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Railroads damaged. Miles of railroad washed away. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

The wreckage. Telegraph lines are destroyed. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Towns inundated. Business is suspended for weeks. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

The aftermath. Wreckage and ruin result. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Amphibians. Stopping the mails -- interrupting commerce. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Weaving the mat. Bank protection is imperative. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

Sinking the mat. Revetment work is essential. In: "The Mississippi River Flood Problem," by John A. Fox, 1915. Library Call No. TC 425 .M62 F69

A plaque in the steps leading down to the Mississippi River commemorates the highest flood ever recorded at St. Louis, the flood of 1993. On August 1, 1993, the Mississippi River reached the level of the plaque. Note street and river in upper left corner of image. The river reached 49.58 feet above normal during this flood.

Potomac River at Great Falls during flood. This small boiling stream is just part of the overflow from the main river.

Potomac River at Great Falls during flood. This small boiling stream is just part of the overflow from the main river.

Raging waters flowing out to the main body of the Potomac River during flood.

Raging waters flowing out to the main body of the Potomac River during flood.

Potomac River flowing over dam structure just above Great Falls.

Normally gentle stream area flowing into Potomac below Great Falls.

Fire engine from Engine Company No. 10 caught in flood.

Broken levee at Sandusky Street

State Street Bridge just beginning to break apart.