Flood of 1997 introduced document flooding to Cincinnati’s riverfront

When the calendar turned from February to March 1997, water fell in abundance in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The deluge resulted in record floods along the Ohio River – the worst since at least 1964 – and in some places worst since the great flood of 1937. Rainfall of up to 12 inches was generated by the March 1-2, 1997 thunderstorms led to severe flooding in most of the region. Eighteen counties have been declared federal and state disaster areas in Ohio. Nine in Kentucky. Nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated, and five deaths have been attributed to the flooding, US Geological Survey officials said. The most severe flooding in the state was generally restricted to areas within 50 to 70 miles of the Ohio River. Many communities along the Ohio River experienced the worst flooding in more than 30 years. Much of downtown Cincinnati was under 3 to 4 feet of water for several days, but the worst flooding occurred in parts of southeast Indiana and parts of northern Kentucky.

When the calendar turned from February to March 1997, water fell in abundance in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

The Flood resulted in record floods along the Ohio River – the worst since at least 1964 – and in some places the worst since the great flood of 1937.

The thunderstorms of March 1-2, 1997 generated up to 30 cm of precipitation, causing severe flooding in most of the region.

Eighteen counties have been declared federal and state disaster areas in Ohio, and nine are in Kentucky.

Nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated and five deaths have been attributed to the flooding, US Geological Survey officials said.

The worst flooding in the state was generally restricted to areas within 50 to 70 miles of the Ohio River. Many communities along the Ohio River experienced the worst flooding in more than 30 years.

Much of downtown Cincinnati was under 3 to 4 feet of water for several days, but the worst of the flooding occurred in parts of southeast Indiana and parts of northern Kentucky.