Ohio River Flood of 1937 - Event Timeline

Event Timeline

• January 5: Water levels began to rise
• January 10-18: Numerous flood warnings were issued across much of the region.
• January 13-24: Near record rainfalls were recorded.
• January 18: Numerous homes were flooded as the Ohio River started to overflow its banks due to the heavy rains.
• January 23-24: Martial law was declared in Evansville, Indiana, where the water level was at 54 feet (16 m).
• January 26: River gauge levels reached 80 feet (24 m) in Cincinnati, the highest level in the city's history.
• January 27: River gauge reached 57 feet (17 m) in the Louisville area, setting a new record. Seventy percent of the city was under water at that time.
• February 2: River gauge reached over 60 feet (18 m) in Paducah, Kentucky
• February 5: Water levels fell below the flood stage for the first time in nearly three weeks in several regions.