Floods have long since been known throughout history as one of nature’s most destructive and wildly unpredictable forces. Rivers and the towns that have been erected nearby them can be thrown into utter, hysterical chaos in just a matter of hours when a flood starts up.
We’ll take a look at some vintage images that capture the emotional rollercoaster that can be the experience of battling through the turmoil delivered by a flood.
1. The way they dealt with a flood in Paris in 1924
It was no easy feat muddling through a destructive flood back in the day.
2. Great Ohio River Flood of 1937, Louisville, Kentucky
One can only imagine the silence that must’ve rang through those lonesome, flooded streets.
3. Flooding in Mexico City in the 40s
People weren’t about to let that flooding stop them from popping out.
4. A troubling shot of the infamous Great Ohio River Flood of 1937
The foggy aesthetic only makes it all the more dark and eerie.
5. An officer keeping an eye on the flooded streets of Ontario, Canada in 1974
That officer wasn’t going to let a mere flood come in the way of keeping a watchful eye on everyone.
6. Flooded cabins in Oakland, NJ, August 24, 1933
To see your cabin end up underwater must’ve been a heartbreaking reality to navigate, to say the very least.
7. Louisville, Kentucky, during the Ohio River flood of 1937
The Ohio River flood of 1937 really was on a level of its own.
8. People really were exceptionally dressed during the flood of 1937 in Louisville, Kentucky
Everyone is out there looking quite dapper, given that there was a flood going on
9. Corner Wall and Maple Streets in Jeffersonville, Indiana during the 1937 flood
These lads honestly don’t look too perturbed about the nasty state of things.
10. A grocery store takes a tough hit in Thompsonville, CT, during the 1955 Flood
Things were looking especially bleak when the grocery stores got rocked during those floods.
11. Flooding from a heavy thunderstorm in north London forced up road bricks and caused traffic chaos, June 8, 1950
Those poor bricks never stood a fighting chance.
12. A flooded street in Montreal, 1869
The sepia tone really adds another layer of drama to this shot.
13. A motorist attempts to start his car engine on a flooded road in the Thames Valley on 12 March 1914
It seems like that car engine might indeed be toast.
14. Paris, France in the Great Flood of 1910
Paris really got rocked by some awful floods.
15. Flooding outside the store of ironmonger Duncan McLean in Greymouth, New Zealand circa 1907
Probably not going to be the best day to visit Duncan McLean.
16. 1959, Moscow flood on Neglinnaya Street
Everyone, all aboard, and watch your steps.
17. 15th July 1937, Flooding in Leytonstone, East London
Some people just refused to be fazed by a “little” bit of flooding.
18. Flood that occurred in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Jan 1937
It looks like the shops are indeed going to be closed for a while.
19. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, U.S. Route 51 between Mounds, Illinois, and Cairo, Illinois
Just a couple of gents out providing watch over some completely flooded streets.
20. Floods at Grafton, NSW, 11 March 1890
Those buildings are completely submerged. You can hardly make out the roofs as it is.
