In March of 1913, Columbus experienced a natural disaster that would go down in history as one of the city’s most defining events — the Great Flood. What started as an unusually rainy spring turned into a crisis that reshaped the way the city thought about disaster preparedness, community support, and resilience.
The Storm Before the Flood
Spring came to Columbus after a winter of heavy snow, and what followed was a mix of rainfall that the city wasn’t prepared for. On March 24, more than five inches of rain poured down in just a few hours, saturating the ground and sending the Scioto River over its banks. The city’s levees, which were supposed to protect Columbus from flooding, couldn’t hold up to the massive amount of water.
The Impact of the Flood
As the floodwaters rose, neighborhoods like Franklinton, which sat low along the river, were hit hardest. Homes were submerged, businesses were destroyed, and residents faced overwhelming challenges. The flood’s devastation forced the city to reckon with the power of nature in a way it never had before.
Ed Lentz, a local historian, called the flood “the worst catastrophe in the history of Columbus,” and for good reason. What started as a regular March day turned into an event that left lasting scars on the city.
Community Heroes
While the flood was a tragedy, it also highlighted the strength of the Columbus community. Robert F. Wolfe, the publisher of the Columbus Dispatch, helped coordinate rescue efforts, using boats from Buckeye Lake to save residents trapped by the rising water. Volunteers, local officials, and the National Guard all worked together to keep people safe during the worst of it.
Rebuilding After the Waters Receded
Once the floodwaters receded, the city was left with a major cleanup job. But rather than dwell on the devastation, Columbus focused on rebuilding. One of the lasting results of the flood was the construction of a 7.2-mile floodwall, finished in 2004, to protect the city from future floods.
The flood also led to a reevaluation of the city’s infrastructure, with an increased focus on flood management and planning. It served as a turning point, not just for disaster preparedness, but also for how the city would approach urban development and environmental challenges in the years that followed.
The Lasting Legacy
Even though the flood happened over a century ago, its legacy is still visible in Columbus today. From the flood walls to the city’s ongoing flood management projects, the 1913 flood is part of the story of how Columbus learned to better protect itself from the forces of nature.
