Great Flood of 1927
The Great Flood of 1927 is remembered as the fourth worst flood in world history, and the most costly flood in Arkansas history. The flood affected much of the lower Mississippi River Valley, and in Arkansas covered portions of thirty-six counties. The Mississippi, Little Red, White, St. Francis, and Arkansas rivers all saw significant flooding from a combination of heavy rainfall in the southern reaches of the watershed in 1926 and rapid snowmelt in the northern part of the Mississippi watershed in 1927.
Levees broke in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. In central Arkansas flooding occured in Saline, Pulaski, and Lonoke counties. Levees on the Arkansas River failed at Little Rock, and half of the Baring Cross Bridge across the river washed away on April 21. Floodwaters covered Arkansas City three times between April and July, destroying the cotton crop and forcing residents to paddle boats to church. Floodwaters did not fully recede in the state until August 1927.
Two Red Cross relief camps were established near England, Arkansas, and another southwest of Little Rock. A Red Cross reconstruction office was also established in Little Rock. Levees were reconstructed and expanded under the federal Flood Control Act of 1928.
References
- "Town Undewater Third Time in 1927," Lewiston Daily Sun, July 4, 1927.
