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.

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.

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 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 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.

Buildings and flotsam pressed against the Kenton Slough dike during the Vanport flood in 1948.

A postcard depicting damage caused by flood waters during the Vanport flood. In the image several apartment buildings which were lifted from their foundations by rising water are seen floating among debris. Several unidentified people are visible standing on rooftops, climbing on debris, and in boats. The image caption reads, "Flood destruction - Vanport, Ore. Christian V-10."

A photograph of several apartments in high flood waters during the Vanport flood.

A photograph of unidentified people standing on a large pile of sandbags during the Vanport flood.

A photograph of several apartments in high flood waters during the Vanport flood.

A photograph of dump trucks and tractors moving piles of sand for people to make sand bags during the Vanport flood. Several men with shovels stand to the side of the trucks waiting to return to work.

A photograph of a line of sandbags holding back flood waters in downtown Portland, Oregon. Union Station and the railroad yards are visible submerged in floodwater in the background. Several unidentified men are working to help reinforce the sandbag wall at various point. The back of the image is stamped with, "Camera Art Studio 4706 N. E. Glisan VE, 3866 Portland, 13, Oregon. 3810 25."

A postcard depicting damage caused by flood waters during the Vanport flood. In the image several apartment buildings which were lifted from their foundations by rising water are seen floating among debris. The image caption reads, "Flood destruction Vanport, Ore. Christian V-11."

A postcard depicting the flood water around Union Station during the Vanport flood. The photograph is taken from a high vantage point and shows the water surrounding union station, the railroad yards, and nearby buildings. The Steel Bridge is also visible in the distance. The image caption reads, "Flood waters " Portland, Ore. Christian V 15."

A photograph of several apartments in high flood waters during the Vanport flood.

A photograph of several apartments in high flood waters during the Vanport flood.

A photograph of a pile of mattresses, furniture, and personal belongings abandoned on the side of the road during the Vanport flood. The flooded Pacific International Livestock Exposition is visible in the background.

A photograph of three unidentified people surveying flooded apartments and debris during the Vanport flood. The back of the image is stamped with, "Camera Art Studio 4706 N. E. Glisan VE, 3866 Portland, 13, Oregon. 3810 9."

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 crew of people with tools, standing on top of mounds of dirt and sandbags, trying to stop the spread of flooding during the Vanport Flood. In the foreground is a pile of empty bags. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 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.