The 1937 Flood was the greatest natural disaster in Northern Kentucky history. That year, the Ohio River reached a crest of 79.99’ – 27’ above flood stage. The high water did considerable damage in the area, resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The following is a chronology of the flood:

January 16, 1937 – The Ohio River crested at 51.66’ (flood stage was 52”). Weather service predicts receding water.

January 17, 1937 – Heavy rains fall throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.

January 18, 1937 – River exceeds flood stage of 52’. Crest is predicted at 58’. Fourth Street Bridge between Covington and Newport is closed when river level reaches 54’.


January 19, 1937 – Ohio River rises to a level of 60’. In Covington, floodwaters cover Riverside Drive and block the Ludlow Street Car Line at the intersection of 3rd and Crescent Streets in Covington.


January 20, 1937 – Steady rain. Army trucks sent from the Fort Thomas Military Post to flooded districts in Northern Kentucky. Forty blocks in Newport are underwater.



January 21, 1937 – Ohio River reaches 63.1’. Kentucky Post headline reads, “River May Pass 66-Feet As Heavy Rains Continue.” Seventy-eight families in Covington have been forced from their homes, another 68 are on a waiting list. In Newport, 500 families have been forced to flee. Bromley in Kenton County and Silver Grove in Campbell County are completely cut off from neighboring cities. In Dayton, 35 city blocks are under water.


January 22, 1937 – Ohio River reaches 70.6’. All Greenline Streetcar service discontinued. The C&O Bridge between Covington and Cincinnati has been cut off due to high water. In Covington, many families are being housed in the Bavarian Brewery complex on Pike Street. African-American families are being housed in the Covington City Garage. Bishop Francis W. Howard opens all Catholic Churches in Covington for relief purposes.

January 23, 1937 – Snow falls in the Ohio Valley. Ohio River Reaches a height of 72.7’ – the highest in recorded history at that time. The Covington Waterworks ceases pumping water. Waterworks superintendent reports that a 10 to 12 day supply of water is being stored in the city’s reservoirs. Covington Schools Superintendent Glenn O. Swing orders Lincoln-Grant, 3rd and 6th Districts Schools closed. All three buildings’ boiler rooms are flooded. Members of the American Legion are sworn-in at Covington as special deputies to assist in relief activities. Covington Fire and Police employees are working 12-hour days. This evening, three babies are born at St. Elizabeth Hospital without the benefit of electric lighting. Gas service is cut off in the City of Bromley and parts of the City of Ludlow.

January 25, 1937 – Black Sunday: 2.55” of rain fell in a 24-hour period. Ohio River is back on the rise. In Kenton County, over 30,000 citizens have been forced to flee their homes. Covington Mayor H.A. Knollman declares a state of emergency in the city. He calls for the rationing of food, water and other supplies. All places of amusement as well as saloons are closed. The only southern means of exit from Covington is across 16th Street to Jefferson Avenue and out the Highland Pike to Fort Wright. Booth Hospital in Covington is housing 50 homeless persons despite being without heat. St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington is housing 300 patients.
St. Elizabeth is being heated by pumping in hot air that is being produced by two large steamrollers. Superintendent Glen O. Swing, Mayor H.A. Knollman and Bishop Francis W. Howard decide to close all schools in the city of Covington. Homes are reported floating down the river after having been washed off their foundations. The City of Covington is 40% underwater. Newport is 55%, Bellevue 40%, Dayton 65% and Bromley 70% underwater.



The Suspension Bridge is kept open by building ramps through the flooded streets. It is the only bridge open between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Fifty families from Bromley and northwestern Kenton County are being housed at Villa Madonna Academy in Crescent Springs.


January 26, 1937 – Ohio River reaches a crest of 79.99’. Rationing continues and the National Guard arrives in Covington. Most of the region is left without electricity.



January 27, 1937 – Ohio River begins to recede. Flood damage in Northern Kentucky is estimated at $6 million. Covington Mayor Knollman requests the aid of 100 army personnel to assist in patrolling the city.

January 28, 1937 – Government officials urge citizens to be inoculated for typhoid.

Kentucky Post, January 18, 1937 through January 27, 1937.