Be the Spark!

contribute now

Oregon Territory

September 16, 2005 — Vanport Flood of 1948

part one part two

download links: part one | part two

In 1948, the Columbia River punched a hole in a levee and flooded the city of Vanport, just north of Portland. The flood destroyed the town, killing 18 people, and wiped out what was the largest public housing project in the nation.

The flood left 18,000 people homeless.

There are many similarities between the Vanport flood and Hurricane Katrina's effect on New Orleans. This week, we explore those similarities, and take a look at the decision not to rebuild Vanport, Oregon.

Host: Christy George

Guest: Ed Washington, former Metro councilor, survivor of the Vanport flood in 1948; and Michael McGregor, associate professor of English & non-fiction writing at PSU and author of several essays on race and Vanport.

Additional Resources

Thanks to our Sponsor:
become a sponsor
Web Analytics