The flood struck on Friday, March 21, 1913. It was Good Friday, but what
happened turned out to be anything but good. A heavy rainstorm caused the
city's rivers to rise nearly 20 feet in two days, burying much of Fort Wayne
under a deadly wet cover. In all, the flood claimed six lives, including four
orphans who drowned when their rescue boat capsized.
Martial law was declared, and 15,000 people were made homeless. Damage
estimates indicated the flood cost the city about $3 million, and that was
before inflation. The rivers crested at about 26 feet - 11 feet above flood
stage.
--March 20, 1982
