10 of the Most Famous Floods in History

10 of the Most Famous Floods in History

Throughout the years, there have been several natural disasters that have caused catastrophe and displacement. From the flooding of the Yellow Rise in China to the Great Mississippi Flood, such floods have killed nearly 900,000 people and even more homeless. Catastrophes that don’t have anyone to blame cause even more heartache within the community. Humanity still has a long way to go before we can create countermeasures that help keep people safe.

It should be noted that we can do so much more to prevent these calamities. Some of the things we can implement include improved disaster response, advances in flood-control infrastructure, and avoiding rapid deforestation. If each country works together, such things won’t affect our tomorrow society.

I have never experienced the effects of flooding but there are so many people around me who have shared their experience. There has been a rise in people being displaced and left without their necessities over the past years. Through this article, I will explore 10 of the Most Famous Floods in History and their impact on society.

1. 1935 Yangtze River Flood – China

On July 6, 1935, the Yangtze River basin experienced sustained heavy rains that exceeded the capacity of the river. The flood caused an estimated 145,000 deaths making it one of the world’s deadliest floods. It also caused millions of people to be displaced and widespread destruction of homes, farms, and infrastructure.

Many people believe that the ongoing civil war in China caused the flood due to the diversion of resources. However, the flood was actually caused by sediment buildup in the riverbed and the conversion of natural floodplains. The flood led to widespread hunger, disease, and social unrest.

2. 1948 Fuzhou Flood – China

It was caused by typhoon Winnie brought heavy rainfall to the region causing the Min River to overflow its banks. The number of deaths caused by the flood remains unknown but sources suggest thousands of people perished. The Fuzhou flood led to severe damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure which led to the displacement and economic hardship of many people. 

3. 1993 Mississippi River – United States

It is known for being one of the most devastating floods in the country’s history. It is also known as the Great Flood of 1993. The flood lasted from May to September 1993. There were over 50 people who lost their lives. The 1993 Mississippi River flood had an estimated $15 billion in economic damages. The flood affected nine states and destroyed a lot of farms, homes, and businesses.

4. 1887 Yellow River Flood – China

It is known for being one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The flood lasted from September to October 1887. The flood had an estimated 900,000 to 2 million deaths, making it the deadliest flood in Chinese history. The 1887 Yellow River Flood left millions of people homeless.

Many sources have noted that the flood was caused by unusually heavy rainfall in the Yellow River basin which caused it to overflow its banks. It is also noted that the river has a high amount of slit which constantly raises the riverbed. 

After the flood, the Qing Dynasty government faced criticism for its slow response and neglect of flood control measures. The flood left a lasting mark on China that has led to improved flood control infrastructure and disaster preparedness.

5.  1931 Yangtze-Huai River – China

It is one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 20th century. It took place between July and August 1931. The flood had an estimated range from 3.7 million to 4 million deaths. The flood caused a 30,000-square-mile destruction that affected a vast area of central and eastern China. The 1931 Yangtxe-Huai River led to severe economic hardship for millions of people in the affected area.

The flood triggered a massive humanitarian crisis that required international aid and relief efforts. It also left a mark on China that improved environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and flood control infrastructure.

6. 1975 Banqiao Dam Failure – China

It is one of the deadliest dam failures in history. The flood took place on August 8, 1975. It was caused by Typhoon Nina, a powerful typhoon that brought torrential rains to the region. The 1975 Banqiao Dam Failure had an estimated range from 26,000 to 240,000 deaths. The dam collapse led to a massive flood wave that overrun over 3 million acres of land and affected 30 cities and counties.

The flood led to millions of people being displaced, and homes as well as businesses were destroyed. It was later discovered that the dam was constructed with inadequate spillway capacity and freeboard. This made it vulnerable to extreme weather events. It should be noted that 61 other dams in the region also failed. 

7. 1953 North Sea Flood – Europe

It is also known as the February Flood or the Great Flood of 1953. It is known for the one of the worst natural disasters in European history. The flood lasted from 31st January to 1 February 1953. The 1953 North Sea Flood affected the coasts of England, Netherlands, Belgium, and Scotland. 

The flood was caused by a combination of high tides, strong winds, and low atmospheric pressure that led to an exceptionally high sea level. Over 2,500 people lost their lives in total. However, over 1 million people were affected and thousands were displaced from their homes. Vast areas of farmland were swamped with saltwater, which caused damage to crops and livestock. 

The 1953 North Sea Flood led to early warning systems and emergency response plans to better manage future flood risks. The affected countries prompted significant investments in coastal protection measures. 

8. 1993 Ohio River Flood – United States

It was a significant event that occurred in February and March of 1993. The flood impacted Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was caused by heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt. There was a widespread damage of homes, businesses, and infrastructure along the riverbanks were overrun. 

9. 2005 Hurricane Katrina Flood –  United States

It was a category 3 hurricane that took place on August 29, 2005. It affected the Gulf Coast of the United States particurlarly Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The flood was caused by a powerful storm surge that pushed water inland. There was also excessive rainfall in the days leading up to the flood.

Over 1,833 people died due to the hurricane and the flood. However, millions of people were displaced from their homes. Hurricane Katrina is noted for being the costliest hurricane on record in the United States. It had damages exceeding $160 billion.

10. 2018 Eastern Africa Floods

It took place between March and May 2018. The affected countries include Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Djibouti. The flood was caused by unusually heavy and sustained rainfall throughout the region. Scientists suggest that climate change was a contributing factor to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather.

Throughout this article, I have noted that China is the most affected country. Whether it is extreme weather or poorly built dams, these calamities have affected many people over the years. Even with the rise of emergency response and damage control, climate change is still a big factor in the cause of floods.