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Rare Historical Photos of The Los Angeles flood of 1938

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Los Angeles’ 1938 flood was one of the largest in southern California’s history. The flood was caused by two Pacific storms that swept across Los Angeles in February and March 1938. These storms brought about almost one year’s worth of precipitation in a few days. The flooding killed between 113 and 115 people. Local government agencies responded by turning the Los Angeles River into a flood control channel. When the storm ended on March 3, the resulting damage was huge. The Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana Rivers burst their banks, flooding much of the coastal plain, the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, and the Inland Empire. Los Angeles County was spared destruction due to flood control structures, while Orange and Riverside Counties suffered more damage.

The storm caused $78 million in damages ($1.5 billion in 2021 dollars), making it one of the most expensive natural disasters in Los Angeles history. Here are some historical photos that show the devastation and the aftermath of the 1930 Flood.

#1 Floodwaters flow slowly through the steets of Venice after a major storm, 1938

Floodwaters flow slowly through the steets of Venice after a major storm, 1938

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#2 A railroad crane was set up for bridge building work over the Los Angeles River near Avenue 19, 1938

A railroad crane was set up for bridge building work over the Los Angeles River near Avenue 19, 1938

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#3 Henry Cooper with a dog and rooster, all that was saved from Earl Callan’s home, part of which can be seen in the Los Angeles River in the background, 1938

Henry Cooper with a dog and rooster, all that was saved from Earl Callan's home, part of which can be seen in the Los Angeles River in the background, 1938

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#4 Heavily traveled Riverside Drive in Glendale was undermined by the torrent of the Los Angeles River. This damaged section was near the former Grand Central Airport, 1938

Heavily traveled Riverside Drive in Glendale was undermined by the torrent of the Los Angeles River. This damaged section was near the former Grand Central Airport, 1938

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#5 Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Smith, their daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter at Burbank and Ethel Streets in Van Nuys begin the task of digging out their home, 1938

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Smith, their daughter and 5-year-old granddaughter at Burbank and Ethel Streets in Van Nuys begin the task of digging out their home, 1938

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#6 Los Angeles city engineering crews fill in a 300-yard section of Ventura Boulevard near Laurel Canyon Drive, 1938

Los Angeles city engineering crews fill in a 300-yard section of Ventura Boulevard near Laurel Canyon Drive, 1938

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#7 Ruth Curry, with a broken arm, owner of Camp Baldy resort, stands in front of shattered cabins after floodwaters destroyed the majority of them, 1938

Ruth Curry, with a broken arm, owner of Camp Baldy resort, stands in front of shattered cabins after floodwaters destroyed the majority of them, 1938

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#8 Wreckage piled up in front of the Camp Baldy garage, 1938

Wreckage piled up in front of the Camp Baldy garage, 1938

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#9 Workers repair a telephone pole. No other information was available, 1938

Workers repair a telephone pole. No other information was available, 1938

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#10 A boulder on a road after a rainstorm on March 1, 1938.

A boulder on a road after a rainstorm on March 1, 1938.

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#12 Mrs. L. Swink put on her swimsuit as she moved out after flooding, 1938

Mrs. L. Swink put on her swimsuit as she moved out after flooding, 1938

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#13 About 10 people drowned when they were swept into the Los Angeles River after the collapse of the 3rd Street pedestrian bridge in Long Beach, 1938

About 10 people drowned when they were swept into the Los Angeles River after the collapse of the 3rd Street pedestrian bridge in Long Beach, 1938

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#16 Floodwaters in Los Angeles River destroy Southern Pacific railroad bridge. The photo was taken from North Figueroa Street bridge, 1938

Floodwaters in Los Angeles River destroy Southern Pacific railroad bridge. The photo was taken from North Figueroa Street bridge, 1938

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#17 Autos stall in flooded Fox Hills Boulevard and Slauson Avenue after the first storm brought about 4 inches of rain, 1938

Autos stall in flooded Fox Hills Boulevard and Slauson Avenue after the first storm brought about 4 inches of rain, 1938

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#18 A three-story structure once occupied by cafe at Cheeney Road and Topanga Canyon Road collapsed and toppled into the highway as prolonged rains softened foundations, 1938

A three-story structure once occupied by cafe at Cheeney Road and Topanga Canyon Road collapsed and toppled into the highway as prolonged rains softened foundations, 1938

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#19 Flooding at West 43rd Place and 11th Avenue near Leimert Boulevard stranded a school bus, 1938

Flooding at West 43rd Place and 11th Avenue near Leimert Boulevard stranded a school bus, 1938

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#20 A mudslide at Harper Avenue and Sunset Boulevard caught this automobile and closed the area to traffic, 1938

A mudslide at Harper Avenue and Sunset Boulevard caught this automobile and closed the area to traffic, 1938

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#21 A washed-out bridge at Colfax Avenue over the Los Angeles River in Studio City, 1938

A washed-out bridge at Colfax Avenue over the Los Angeles River in Studio City, 1938

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#22 Firemen search for the body of Ruth Randall, 28, and son Leonard, 6, after their home was destroyed by a landslide on the 1900 block of Landa Street, 1938

Firemen search for the body of Ruth Randall, 28, and son Leonard, 6, after their home was destroyed by a landslide on the 1900 block of Landa Street, 1938

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#23 A salvage crew trys to dig out a gravel truck damaged by flooding along the Los Angeles River. The truck was at a construction project to build a railroad crossing for Union Pacific across the river, 1938

A salvage crew trys to dig out a gravel truck damaged by flooding along the Los Angeles River. The truck was at a construction project to build a railroad crossing for Union Pacific across the river, 1938

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#24 Water rising above the drain level in underground conduits threatened telephone service in downtown Los Angeles. Fire Department pumpers answered the call, 1938

Water rising above the drain level in underground conduits threatened telephone service in downtown Los Angeles. Fire Department pumpers answered the call, 1938

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#25 Dr. A. J. Gray, left, Douglas Dawson and Dr. A. G. Hobbs do a little fishing at home on 500 block of South New Hampshire, 1938

Dr. A. J. Gray, left, Douglas Dawson and Dr. A. G. Hobbs do a little fishing at home on 500 block of South New Hampshire, 1938

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#26 Drains could not keep up with rain filling streets in downtown Los Angeles, 1938

Drains could not keep up with rain filling streets in downtown Los Angeles, 1938

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#27 Water-soaked earth moved rapidly down the side of Laurel Canyon at Kirkwood Avenue, carrying trees and boulders in its path and wrecking the basement garage of this home, 1938

Water-soaked earth moved rapidly down the side of Laurel Canyon at Kirkwood Avenue, carrying trees and boulders in its path and wrecking the basement garage of this home, 1938

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#28 Hugh Beckly stands atop a car almost covered by water at 6th Street near June. Arden Day cruises by in a skiff, 1938

Hugh Beckly stands atop a car almost covered by water at 6th Street near June. Arden Day cruises by in a skiff, 1938

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#29 William L. Griffin digs out the family car on the 1700 block of Fernlane Street as Lloyd Griffin and David Stagg watch, 1938

William L. Griffin digs out the family car on the 1700 block of Fernlane Street as Lloyd Griffin and David Stagg watch, 1938

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#30 The family of J.E. Webb in Venice is rescued by boat, and two children with mumps were sent to a hospital, 1938

The family of J.E. Webb in Venice is rescued by boat, and two children with mumps were sent to a hospital, 1938

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#31 The La Canada Street Bridge over Verdugo Wash near junction of Verdugo Road. The bridge, a WPA project, was under construction when the storm hit, 1938

The La Canada Street Bridge over Verdugo Wash near junction of Verdugo Road. The bridge, a WPA project, was under construction when the storm hit, 1938

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#32 The washed-out Santa Fe Bridge over the Arroyo Seco paralleling Pasadena Avenue Bridge, 1938

The washed-out Santa Fe Bridge over the Arroyo Seco paralleling Pasadena Avenue Bridge, 1938

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#33 These ruins were once a residence on the 2000 block of Los Encinos Street, Glendale. Two men met their death when the house collapsed into the street. Workmen search for the bodies, 1938

These ruins were once a residence on the 2000 block of Los Encinos Street, Glendale. Two men met their death when the house collapsed into the street. Workmen search for the bodies, 1938

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#34 A road crew removes debris from Foothill Boulevard at Lowell Street near Tujunga, 1938

A road crew removes debris from Foothill Boulevard at Lowell Street near Tujunga, 1938

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#35 A portion of Roosevelt Highway (now Pacific Coast Highway) at Santa Monica Canyon is repaired after heavy rains, 1938

A portion of Roosevelt Highway (now Pacific Coast Highway) at Santa Monica Canyon is repaired after heavy rains, 1938

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#74 Milkman Ray J. Henville secured himself a boat and boatman and made all deliveries on time and on doorstep, 1938

Milkman Ray J. Henville secured himself a boat and boatman and made all deliveries on time and on doorstep, 1938

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#75 Flooding at West 43rd Place near Leimert Boulevard, 1938

Flooding at West 43rd Place near Leimert Boulevard, 1938

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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