Paducah 1937 Flood

Flood waters turned the river from Paducah's usual best friend into the community's enemy in 1884, 1913, and again in 1937. The flood of 1937 was the area's most devastating event of the twentieth century, covering 90% of Paducah and forcing the evacuation of more than 27,000 residents. After six weeks of rain in the Ohio River Valley, the river crested at 60.8 feet, nearly 11 feet above the elevation of this present sidewalk. National Geographic featured a photo of a cow on the second story porch of a Lower Town neighborhood home. Following the flood, a 12.5 mile flood wall was erected to protect the city.

Paducah, Kentucky · United States