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.

A photograph of several unidentified people climbing through debris left by the Vanport flood. In the distance, people are visible standing on the roofs of flooded apartment buildings lifted from their foundations by the water. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible among other debris in the lower left corner of the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of damage to Jantzen Beach Amusement Park during the Vanport flood. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

A photograph depicting damage done by the Vanport flood. Several unidentified people walk across rooftops and piled debris left after flood waters lifted buildings from their foundations. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. The interstate bridge and a railroad bridge are visible in the distance. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

Photograph of water gushing into a puddle in a field during the Vanport Flood. Other photographs in this folder indicate this is likely an area where flood prevention crews are trying to contain a breach in flooding. 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 line of people up a small hillside, working to stop the spread of flooding during the Vanport Flood. Water gushes into the area below them. 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 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 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.

A group of men holding hands and a rope to form a human chain in waist-high flood water during the Vanport flood. They are attempting to rescue people trapped by rising flood water. Flooded cars and debris are visible in the water around them. Dale Skovgaard is identified as the man in the white cowboy hat. This photograph was originally taken by an Oregonian photographer (OrHi 25428).

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood with Mount St. Helens visible in the distance. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

A line of cars parked on Denver Avenue in Vanport, Oregon. The drivers abandoned their cars on the road and fled on foot after a traffic jam blocked their exits. Pedestrians are visible on the road attempting to escape the rising flood waters during the Vanport flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several flooded buildings and the flooded railway bridge are visible in the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

A photograph of several unidentified people gathered at the edge of the flood waters during the Vanport flood. Another group of people is visible standing on the roof of one of the flooded apartment buildings in the distance. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible among other debris in the center of the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

An aerial photograph of flood waters during the Vanport flood. Several apartment buildings that were lifted from their foundations by the water are visible floating among other debris in the the image. Vanport City, once the second largest city in Oregon, was destroyed by a flood on May 30, 1948 when water breached a nearby section of the dike along the Columbia River. This photograph was part of a series of selected snapshots of "Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River," sold as a set after the flood.

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 people standing on top of a small dam made of sand bags, built to stop the spread of flooding during the Vanport Flood. A truck with supplies is next to the dam. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

An aerial view of burning buildings at Vanport City. Flames and plumes of smoke can be seen above the buildings, many of which appear to be apartments (negative 1 of 5).

People evacuated from the Vanport City flood, gathered outside the American Red Cross headquarters at S.W. 15th Avenue and S.W. Alder Street in Portland. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 4 of 9).

People using ham radios at the American Red Cross headquarters, at S.W. 15th Avenue and S.W. Alder Street in Portland, during a flooding event in Vanport. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 6 of 9).

An aerial view of dike work being done at Marine Drive and Gertz Road in Portland, near Vanport City. A group of houseboats can be seen at the right side of the frame, likely on the Columbia River at Marine Drive (negative 1 of 2).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. People gathered around a table at the front of the frame, while a larger group can be seen standing further back (negative 1 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. Several taxidermied deer and elk can be seen in the room, including a standing deer at the front of the frame (negative 2 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. Several people are seated around a table holding a phone, with other groups visible in the background (negative 3 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport City at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. The group is in front of a wood-clad wall, with some people sitting and others standing (negative 2 of 2).

Destroyed buildings and floating debris at Vanport City, following a flooding event. Roofs and pieces of wood can be seen throughout the area. A photograph from this series was published in the Oregon Journal on Thursday, June 24, 1948 (negative 1 of 6).