The Causes of the Mississippi River Flooding
The Mississippi River Flood of 1927 was a catastrophic event that caused great devastation to the region. The flood had a long lasting economic and psychological impact on the people of the Mississippi Valley. The magnitude of this dominant natural disaster was so extreme that it was compared to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and the great storm surge of the Galveston, TX in 1900.
The flooding of the Mississippi, which stretched from Illinois to Louisiana, was a result of extremely heavy rainfall and saturated soils. The amount of rainfall received by states in the Upper Mississippi Valley, such as Indiana and Illinois, was over 30 percent above average throughout the spring and summer months.
The excess rainfall, coupled with snowmelt from the Upper Midwest, melted the stored snow and ice, bringing more water into the Mississippi River basin. The combination of factors caused the unprecedented flooding of the Mississippi, with the water rising 10 to 20 feet in some locations.
The flooding also caused major changes to the river channel, as well as the migration of sand and silt. Along the lower Mississippi, levees were breached in several states, leading to even more flooding. All of this contributed to the ten foot high flood waters that extended across 27,000 square miles of the region.
The flooding not only damaged homes and businesses, but it disrupted people’s way of life. The flood waters contaminated soil, destroyed crops, and created health problems as well. People also lost their jobs due to the damage sustained from the flood and had difficulty finding new employment opportunities.
The aftermath of the Mississippi River Flood of 1927 is still felt today. It was a major disaster that affected the lives of many individuals and communities. According to experts, efforts should continue to be made in order to ensure adequate flood protection and a strong levee system.
Effects of the Mississippi River Flood
The Mississippi River Flood of 1927 had a long lasting impact on the people and lands it touched. It caused extensive damage to the region and lead to many lasting changes. The amount of water that flowed through the Mississippi River basin during the flooding was unprecedented and the flooding touched states such as Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Missouri. The entire stretch of the river, from Illinois to Louisiana, experienced a two foot to twenty one foot rise in water levels. In some areas, the water rose as high as ten feet in just a few days. As a result of the rising waters, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed.
The flooding also caused extensive crop damage, resulting in crashing crop prices and making it difficult for many farmers to maintain their livelihoods. Additionally, some levees were breached, forcing people to evacuate their homes and disperse to other states. The health of the region was also affected due to the flooding, as many people had to endure contaminated water and soil. Pathogenic materials, such as bacteria and viruses, were left behind due to the stagnant waters and this lead to an increase in disease and other public health issues.
The aftermath of the flooding was far reaching and caused losses of both property and life. In total, the flooding resulted in over 500 deaths and $400 million in damages. It was one of the most costly natural disasters of the 20th century and had a lasting impact on the lives of those affected.
Although this disaster occurred almost 100 years ago, the region is still feeling its effects. The flooding caused extensive damage to property, livelihoods, and physical health. It also changed the natural environment of the region. The sediment deposited by the flood created major changes to the land and the river channel, further altering the landscape. Lastly, the flooding of the Mississippi River caused widespread trauma and fear amongst those affected by the disaster.
The Recovery Following the Mississippi River Flood
The recovery process of the Mississippi River Flood of 1927 was long and difficult. The magnitude of the disaster caused widespread trauma and impacted the livelihoods of many individuals and their communities. The sheer amount of water that rushed through the region caused countless homes, businesses, and farms to be destroyed by the flooding.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the people of the region turned to the federal government for assistance. President Calvin Coolidge authorized the creation of a committee to coordinate relief efforts and appropriated funds for relief work. Additionally, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation provided loans to affected individuals, businesses, and communities to help them recover from the disaster.
The river level did eventually subside, however it took almost a year before the situation improved. During the recovery process, the people of the region had to rebuild their homes, fields, and businesses, as well as their lives. There were also serious health problems due to the unsanitary conditions caused by the flooding. Fortunately, better public health laws and regulations were established to alleviate these problems.
The recovery efforts were also aided by other countries, who sent volunteers and food to the region to help in the rebuilding process. In addition, the federal government provided financial assistance to the those affected by the flood, in the form of grants, loans, and tax exemptions.
The recovery process was slow, but it helped to restore the region after the devastating effects of the disaster. It was an arduous process and it took many years, but eventually the region was able to rebuild, and the lives and livelihoods of the people affected by the flood were restored.
Preventative Measures
In order to prevent future flooding, a variety of preventative measures have been implemented. One of the key preventative measures taken has been the establishment of a maintenance program along the Mississippi River. This includes regular maintenance of levees, dams, and other flood control measures.
The Army Corps of Engineers has also implemented a variety of projects in the Upper Mississippi Valley, such as stream restoration, sediment control, and other projects designed to reduce flood risk in the region. Additionally, a variety of natural floodplain management practices have been implemented, such as riparian zone restoration and wetland preservation.
In addition to these measures, local governments have implemented plans to improve the region’s infrastructure, such as improving drainage systems and constructing new levees. Furthermore, the National Weather Service has implemented a variety of initiatives to monitor weather patterns to help predict potential flooding events.
Lastly, citizens in the affected regions have been encouraged to prepare for potential floods. They have been advised to create emergency plans, check insurance policy coverage, and create personal disaster kits. Additionally, the government has launched public campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of flooding and how to prepare in the event of a disaster.
Conclusion
The Mississippi River Flood of 1927 had a long lasting effect on the region and its people. The amount of water that flooded the region was unprecedented and the flood waters caused extensive damage to property, livelihoods, and public health. The aftermath of the disaster was felt for many years, however the region was eventually able to recover with the help of relief funds from the federal government and other organizations.
Today, there are preventative measures in place to help reduce the risk of future flooding. This includes the implementation of flood control measures, such as the maintenance of levees and dams, as well as the implementation of natural floodplain management practices. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to prepare for potential disasters by creating emergency plans and disaster kits.
