Floods, 1997
The most recent flood in the history of the city occurred in March 1997. The river crested on March 6, 1997 at 64.7’. High water entered homes on lower Kenner Street and Hooper Street. Water also came of over the banks on West Elm Street, blocking the entire 800 block. The Kehoe Council Knights of Columbus suffered heavy damage to both their lower and upper level buildings. The Ludlow Vets Hall also received much damage. The River Breeze Trailer Park, located on Elm Street at the foot of Deverill, was a total loss. Many residents simply abandoned their trailers. The trailer park was never reopened.
Ludlow Park stood under water from the river’s edge to the slope on the north side of Elm Street. The playground equipment, baseball fields, shelter house and war memorial were all in high water.
The American Red Cross set up a temporary service center at the First Baptist Church on Linden Street. Sts. Boniface and James Parish Center of Oak Street housed the furniture of a number of flooded out residents. The parish St. Vincent de Paul Society also provided food and funds for flood victims.
Kentucky Post, March 19, 1997 and March 31, 1997; Sts. Boniface and James Parish Bulletins, 1997.
