A view of damaged apartment buildings in Vanport, Oregon after the water receded from the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “Our apartment house.”

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.

A photograph of an unidentified group of people viewing the damage caused by the Vanport flood. In the distance people in boats and on rooftops are visible in the flood water. The back of the image is stamped with, "Camera Art Studio 4706 N. E. Glisan VE, 3866 Portland, 13, Oregon. 3810 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 flooded industrial buildings 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 2."

A photograph of several apartments in high flood waters 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 33. "

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).

Agnes Skovgaard sorting through personal items after residents were allowed back into Vanport, Oregon following the Vanport flood. Caption on the image reads, “My mother sorting through personal items after the flood to see if anything was worth saving. Very little.”

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

An envelope containing commemorative photographs taken during the Vanport flood in 1948. The envelope is white with red lettering that reads, "10 Selected Snapshots 50C. Vanport City, Ore. Destroyed by the Mighty Columbia River. May 30, 1948." 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.

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 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 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.

Agnes and Delores Skovgaard standing behind a picket fence in front of their apartment in Vanport, Oregon. They are sorting through personal items after residents were allowed back into Vanport following the Vanport flood. The caption on the photograph reads, “My Mother, Netta and Sister, Delores, trying to sort out any savable items from apartment.”

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.