In 1918, water from the Yellowstone River rushed into the west end of Forsyth and flooded the entire town north of the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks. Every basement was flooded to the floor joists, and homes in the residential district had 2 to 3 feet of water flowing through their ground floors. As flood waters broke onto the main street and into the lower sections of town, residents evacuated to higher ground to the east on two blocks of Main Street that remained relatively dry because temporary earthen berms protected this small but important section of the north side. From there, people could cross the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks to the South Side, where the railroad grade protected that part of town from the flood waters. Refugees found shelter in hotels and spare rooms in the business district or with local ranchers and farmers. Forsyth remained flooded until the waters receded on July 5, leaving behind filth, destruction, and flooded basements. At this location stood the home of R.A. Martin, where flood water reached the windowsills, and water lines on trees and the picture window showed that the flood had been at least one foot higher in previous days.