Overview

From the time settlers first pushed into the Ohio Valley, floods were an accepted fact of life. After each flood, people shoveled the mud from their doors and set about rebuilding their towns. In 1884, the Ohio River washed away 2,000 homes. In 1913, an even worse flood swept down the river. People labeled it the granddaddy of all floods. Little did they know there was worse yet to come. In 1937, raging floodwaters inundated thousands of houses, businesses, factories, and farms in a half dozen states, drove one million people from their homes, claimed nearly 400 lives, and recorded $500 million in damages. Adding to the misery was the fact that the disaster came during the depths of the Depression, when many families were already struggling. Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 brings together 200 vintage images that offer readers a look at one of the darkest chapters in the region's history.

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9780738568584

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Title: Flooded with Memories <br>Author: Lee Ward <br>Publisher: The Independent <br>Date: 2/11/2009 <p><br>The Ohio River flood of 1937 left impressions on those who survived it and those who knew survivors. <p><br>Retired newspaper writer James Casto and author of the book aThe Great Ohio River Flood of 1937a is one who recalls hearing tales of the flood from his parents. <p><br>aThe flood devastated not only my hometown (Huntington, W.Va.), but virtually every community, large or small, along the river, from Pennsylvania to Illinois, a he said. aFor years, people talked about it in much the same way other Americans would later remember where they were when President Kennedy was killed or when the terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001.a <p><br>Castoas book is a collection of more than 200 images from the flood that killed nearly 400, drove one million from their houses and inflicted $500 million in damage, which would equal about $7 billion today, accounting for inflation. <p><br>The book also shows how the outbreak of World War II delayed many flood control projects in the United States and how the suffering was compounded by the Great Depression. <p><br>The book doesnat just examine the effects of the flood in Huntington. In Kentucky, Louisville is highlighted as it was particularly hard hit by the flood. Paducah had 27,000 of its 30,000 residents displaced by water. <p><br>Casto, who retired from The Herald-Dispatch in 2004, said todayas flood control systems have Ohio River towns well protected, so many might not realize the devastation brought by the flood in 1937. <p><br>aaHell and High Watera was the way Time magazine of Feb. 1, 1937, described the flood and the descriptioncouldnat have been more accurate, a Casto said, adding he hopes readers of his book will learn to appreciate the protection system in place today. <p><br>aTime and time again, the regionas floodwalls and reserviors have proven they are more than worth every tax dollar thatas been invested in their construction, a he said. <p><br>The book is part of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing in Dover, New Hampshire. <p><br>The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 by James Casto was published by Arcadia Publishing and is available at local retail stores, online bookstores or through the publisher at arcadiapublishing.com or by calling (888) 313-2665. Cost is $21.99. The book becomes available on Feb. 16.

Title: Flooded with Memories Author: Lee Ward Publisher: The Independent Date: 2/11/2009 The Ohio River flood of 1937 left impressions on those who survived it and those who knew survivors. Retired newspaper writer James Casto and author of the book The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 is one who recalls hearing tales of the flood from his parents. The flood devastated not only my hometown (Huntington, W.Va.), but virtually every community, large or small, along the river, from Pennsylvania to Illinois, he said. For years, people talked about it in much the same way other Americans would later remember where they were when President Kennedy was killed or when the terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Casto's book is a collection of more than 200 images from the flood that killed nearly 400, drove one million from their houses and inflicted $500 million in damage, which would equal about $7 billion today, accounting for inflation. The book also shows how the outbreak of World War II delayed many flood control projects in the United States and how the suffering was compounded by the Great Depression. The book doesn't just examine the effects of the flood in Huntington. In Kentucky, Louisville is highlighted as it was particularly hard hit by the flood. Paducah had 27,000 of its 30,000 residents displaced by water. Casto, who retired from The Herald-Dispatch in 2004, said today's flood control systems have Ohio River towns well protected, so many might not realize the devastation brought by the flood in 1937. 'Hell and High Water' was the way Time magazine of Feb. 1, 1937, described the flood and the description couldn't have been more accurate, Casto said, adding he hopes readers of his book will learn to appreciate the protection system in place today. Time and time again, the region's floodwalls and reserviors have proven they are more than worth every tax dollar that's been invested in their construction, he said. The book is part of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing in Dover, New Hampshire. The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 by James Casto was published by Arcadia Publishing and is available at local retail stores, online bookstores or through the publisher at arcadiapublishing.com or by calling (888) 313-2665. Cost is $21.99. The book becomes available on Feb. 16.

Title: Flooded with Memories Author: Lee Ward Publisher: The Independent Date: 2/11/2009 The Ohio River flood of 1937 left impressions on those who survived it and those who knew survivors. Retired newspaper writer James Casto and author of the book The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 is one who recalls hearing tales of the flood from his parents. The flood devastated not only my hometown (Huntington, W.Va.), but virtually every community, large or small, along the river, from Pennsylvania to Illinois, he said. For years, people talked about it in much the same way other Americans would later remember where they were when President Kennedy was killed or when the terrorists struck on Sept. 11, 2001. Casto's book is a collection of more than 200 images from the flood that killed nearly 400, drove one million from their houses and inflicted $500 million in damage, which would equal about $7 billion today, accounting for inflation. The book also shows how the outbreak of World War II delayed many flood control projects in the United States and how the suffering was compounded by the Great Depression. The book doesn't just examine the effects of the flood in Huntington. In Kentucky, Louisville is highlighted as it was particularly hard hit by the flood. Paducah had 27,000 of its 30,000 residents displaced by water. Casto, who retired from The Herald-Dispatch in 2004, said today's flood control systems have Ohio River towns well protected, so many might not realize the devastation brought by the flood in 1937. 'Hell and High Water' was the way Time magazine of Feb. 1, 1937, described the flood and the description couldn't have been more accurate, Casto said, adding he hopes readers of his book will learn to appreciate the protection system in place today. Time and time again, the region's floodwalls and reserviors have proven they are more than worth every tax dollar that's been invested in their construction, he said. The book is part of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing in Dover, New Hampshire. The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 by James Casto was published by Arcadia Publishing and is available at local retail stores, online bookstores or through the publisher at arcadiapublishing.com or by calling (888) 313-2665. Cost is $21.99. The book becomes available on Feb. 16. Title: Read all about it Author: Staff Writer Publisher: The Herald-Dispatch Date: 2/25/2009 WHAT: A 128-page book with 200 vintage images called Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937. HOW MUCH: $21.99 ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1937, raging floodwaters inundated thousands of houses, businesses, factories and farms in a half-dozen states, drove 1 million people from their homes, claimed nearly 400 lives and recorded $500 million in damages. Adding to the misery was the fact that the disaster came during the depths of the Depression, when many families were already struggling. Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 brings together 200 vintage images that offer readers a look at one of the darkest chapters in the region's history. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Retired newspaperman James E. Casto of Huntington has written 10 books. He has written five Arcadia Publishing books. In 2006, the Cabell County Public Library paid tribute to his efforts as an historian by naming its James E. Casto Local History Room in his honor. Casto spent more than 40 years as a reporter and editor at The Herald-Dispatch. He retired from the newspaper in 2004. MEET THE AUTHOR: Casto and Bob Withers will be signing copies of their latest books from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Borders at the Huntington Mall. Casto will sign his new book The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 and Withers will sign his book The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in W.Va. Call 304-736-6233. Title: Read all about it Author: Staff Writer Publisher: The Herald-Dispatch Date: 2/25/2009 WHAT: A 128-page book with 200 vintage images called Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937. HOW MUCH: $21.99 ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1937, raging floodwaters inundated thousands of houses, businesses, factories and farms in a half-dozen states, drove 1 million people from their homes, claimed nearly 400 lives and recorded $500 million in damages. Adding to the misery was the fact that the disaster came during the depths of the Depression, when many families were already struggling. Images of America: The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 brings together 200 vintage images that offer readers a look at one of the darkest chapters in the region's history. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Retired newspaperman James E. Casto of Huntington has written 10 books. He has written five Arcadia Publishing books. In 2006, the Cabell County Public Library paid tribute to his efforts as an historian by naming its James E. Casto Local History Room in his honor. Casto spent more than 40 years as a reporter and editor at The Herald-Dispatch. He retired from the newspaper in 2004. MEET THE AUTHOR: Casto and Bob Withers will be signing copies of their latest books from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Borders at the Huntington Mall. Casto will sign his new book The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 and Withers will sign his book The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in W.Va. Call 304-736-6233. Title: Huntington Author Pens Book About 1937 Flood Author: Ginaa Long Publisher: WOWK News 13 Date: 2/13/2009 Frances Chapman was only 7-years-old when she witnessed The Ohio River Flood of 1937. You couldn't see anything, really. Only water, water, and just the tops of buildings, said Chapman. Huntington author James Casto is now passing down the history and memories of that devastating time to other generations through his new book. The 1937 Flood was the Katrina of it's time, said Casto. Casto even used the online auction website E-Bay to find some of these 200 images. I've totally been bitten by the local history bug. I'm still researching, still learning and still writing, said Casto. Casto said he hopes his new book gives readers an appreciate for the flood control measures that developed after the flood. The Great Ohio River Flood of 1937 will be available starting Monday, February 16, 2009 at area bookstores, independent retailers and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at 1-888-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Author Information

Retired newspaperman James E. Casto of Huntington, West Virginia, has written four previous Arcadia Publishing books. In 2006, the Cabell County Public Library paid tribute to his efforts as an historian by naming its James E. Casto Local History Room in his honor.

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