Aerial photograph of widespread flooding during the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948 by a someone named "Vail." Likely a student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Aerial photograph of widespread flooding in Vanport during the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. In the foreground, Denver Avenue and Vanport ramp are visible. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948 by a someone named "Vail." Likely a student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Aerial photograph of widespread flooding during the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948 by a someone named "Vail." Likely a student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of debris in a shaded area of the Vanport Flood. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of the Steel Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. The high water has reached the bottom of the bridge. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a flooded area of the Willamette River in an industrial area of Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river. There are several ships docked in the Willamette. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a flooded area of the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. In the foreground, a train is surrounded by water as the railroad is flooded. Taken from the east side of the river. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of people in a boat surveying the damage of the Vanport Flood. Behind them, an apartment building floats in the floodwater after having been lifted from its foundation. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of debris and destroyed buildings in the water of the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of flooded NW Front Street in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the Steel Bridge, Union Station and the Broadway Bridge are both visible in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of long lines of railroad cars in the flood water of the Vanport Flood. The railroads are underwater. Taken from the east side of the Willamette River, with the west hills of Portland, Oregon visible in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of debris and destroyed buildings in the water of the Vanport Flood. In the foreground, the roof of a building emerges from water. In the background, several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of 3 men standing on a walkway overlooking widespread flooding during the Vanport Flood. A group of people stand near a boat on the right and an empty boat sits on the grass in the foreground. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of the Burnside Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of debris and a flooded apartment building in the water of the Vanport Flood. On the left, the apartment building floats in the water after having been lifted from its foundation. On the right, debris and other flooded buildings are visible in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of the Hawthorne Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of widespread flooding on the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river, several ships can be seen floating in the high water. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a steam locomotive in flood water just outside Union Station in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Widespread flooding is visible in the area around Union Station. A long line of sandbags is visible on the left. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of the Hawthorne Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. The draw bridge is up and a boat passes underneath. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a train crossing the Steel Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. The high water touches the bottom of the bridge. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a swing bridge, possibly the Morrison Bridge, turned on its axis above the high water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of widespread flooding on the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river, several ships can be seen floating in the river. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of debris and flooded buildings in the water of the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Two water towers rise in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of widespread flooding on the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river, there is a submerged railroad in the foreground. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of widespread flooding on the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river, a large industrial building is surrounded by water. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of widespread flooding of the Willamette River at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Aerial photograph of widespread flooding during the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography. This print is from the same negative or take as OrgLot762_B1F7_001.

Photograph of 3 men standing on a road, looking at the damage caused by the Vanport Flood. Several apartment buildings float in the floodwater after having been lifted from their foundations. In the foreground, a power pole, debris, and the roof of a building sit in high flood water. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.