CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — March 23, 2023, marks the 110th anniversary of the “Great Flood of 1913”, a catastrophic event that caused widespread destruction and loss of life throughout Ohio. The flood was triggered by a massive storm that began on Sunday, March 23, 1913.
Chillicothe was hit hard by the flood, with 22 people losing their lives as raging waters from the Scioto River inundated the city. Witnesses reported seeing what appeared to be a tsunami, a wall of water, rushing into the city when the levees broke. Despite warnings of potential flooding, some residents failed to evacuate in time and found themselves trapped by the floodwaters.
The storm dropped nearly 10 inches of rain, causing creeks and rivers across the region to rapidly rise. In Columbus, over 500 buildings were destroyed and thousands more suffered significant damage. The floodwaters were so intense that several residents were trapped in their homes or in trees.
Statewide, more than 65,000 Ohioans were displaced by the flood with more than 300 losing their lives.
