We took a look at the history of flooding in Louisville. Here is a by-the-numbers look at the impact of the top three Ohio River floods in Louisville.
University of Louisville’s Service Building (now known as the Administrative Annex) was completely flooded in 1937.
Photo courtesy ASC, UofL
The Great Flood
- 1937. Known as the worst Ohio River flood in history, rains began to fall in January of 1937.
- 175,000. The number of people who were evacuated due to the flooding.
- 70%. The amount of the city that was under water.
- 1948. The year that the Ohio River Flood Protection System began construction, prompted by the 1937 flood.
1945 flood
- 42 ft. The peak stage of this flood in Louisville, about 11 ft lower than the 1937 flood.
- 50,000. The number of people evacuated.
The Morton’s Packing Co. sign is barely visible above the 1945 flood waters.
Photo courtesy ASC, UofL
1997 flood
- 70.47 ft. The crest of the Ohio river during the flood.
- $200,000,000. The cost of the damage from the flooding.
- 10.50. The amount of inches of rain that fell during a 24-hour period — a record held until 2023.
Learn more about the precautions + response plans that keep Louisville safe during extreme flooding.
