The 1952 FLOOD

When humankind comes together, uniting their resources to reach a common goal, the results can be spectacular.  The people of Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, demonstrated this in the spring of 1952, when they held back one of the greatest flood ever observed on the Missouri River.

 

 

 

 

Testimonies
Double-click on icon to hear audio file

  
  Ann Van Hoff Betty Davis
Bill Christiansen Chet Worm
Dave Hamer Dave Hamer Cont.
Eunice Levisay Jack Savage
Jean Davidson John Jeter
Lou Worm Lowell Eyer
Tom Miller  

 

 

 
 

Photographs
Click on icon to view photograph

-Northwestern Bell. May, 1952.

  
Aerial View ASARCO
ASARCO 2 Boat Utility
President Truman South Omaha
Building Dike Human Chain
Evening Sandbagging
Military Human Chain
Truman & Media  

 

 

Newspaper Headlines, Stories & Photos
A small sample from the extensive clipping file held at the Library-Archive Center.

 
Tired, Cold & Hungry Volunteers
More Troops! Wet Basement
New Hope Soldiers Rush!
  Airmen Pitch In Rail Yards
Rail Bridge Broken Glass
16th Street News Wrong
Evacuation Map Sandbag Fight
Refugees Ten Spots
Street Sign Trouble Spots Photo
The Facts Weaker Sex

 

 

Video Documentary

"Man Against the River"
(March 21, 1982)

A documentary produced by Channel 6, featuring original footage of Edward R. Murrow and his coverage of the flood.

Produced by Dave Hamer
Reported by Gary Kerr

Video

 

  

 

 

Other Resources
The following resources are available at the Douglas County Historical Society Library-Archive Center

  • Omaha World-Herald clipping file

  • Northwestern Bell publication on the flood, containing numerous photos.

  • "The Flood of 1952." An twenty-page research paper prepared by Michael Sciortino.

  • "A Brief Summary of Civil Defense Operations During the Missouri River Flood Emergency of 1952 at Omaha, Nebraska." A ten-page paper prepared by the Omaha Civil Defense Agency.

  • Photograph collection

  • A higher quality version of the video "Man Against the River."

  • B.F. Sylvester, “Omaha’s Flood, 1952,” Nebraska History 35, no. 1 (1954).

     

  

If you have questions, comments, or items that you would like to donate to the DHCS archives
in regards to the 1952 Flood, please send an email to: education@omahahistory.org

 



 

BACK to Main Education Page