Floods stand among the most devastating natural disasters that mankind has endured throughout history. These catastrophic events have taken countless lives and obliterated communities, leaving trails of destruction that take years to rebuild from. While floods occur worldwide, some stand out for their sheer magnitude and lasting impacts. In this list, we will dive into the top 10 worst floods in history, examining their causes and the aftermath of these calamitous water surges. We begin our countdown at number 10.
#10 The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
The Great Mississippi Flood is perhaps one of the most significant and damaging river floods to strike the United States. After months of heavy rain, the Mississippi River broke out of its levee system in numerous places, affecting several states including Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Over 27,000 square miles were inundated up to a depth of 30 feet. The floodwaters displaced 700,000 people and caused over $400 million in damages, which is equivalent to over $6 billion today.
#9 The Yellow River Flood of 1887
China’s Yellow River, also known as the Huang He, is notorious for its deadly floods. The one that occurred in 1887 is particularly tragic with the river overflowing and breaching its dikes in Henan province. This disaster has been estimated to have caused between 900,000 to 2 million deaths, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded. Floodwaters inundated an area around 50,000 square miles, leaving millions homeless and leading to a severe famine in the aftermath.
#8 The St. Felix’s Flood of 1530
Also known as “De Sint-Felixvloed” in Dutch, the flood struck the coast of the Netherlands on November 5, 1530. Thought to be caused by a heavy storm, it claimed around 100,000 lives. Entire villages in Zeeland and the south-west of the Netherlands were swallowed by the sea, with Grote Mandrenke – a tidal wave – was responsible for widening the North Sea coastal floodplain by miles in some areas.
#7 The Banqiao Dam Failure of 1975
A lesser-known yet catastrophic event was the collapse of the Banqiao Dam in China’s Henan Province. Following the damage inflicted by Typhoon Nina in August 1975, over 60 other dams in the area failed, and approximately 15.738 billion tons of water were released. The resulting floods affected over 10 million people, with estimates of the dead ranging from 26,000 to as high as 240,000 when including the subsequent famine and disease.
#6 The North Sea Flood of 1953
Hitting the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium on the night of January 31, 1953, this violent storm surge was due to a combination of a high spring tide and a severe European windstorm. Over 2,500 people lost their lives, with the Netherlands taking the brunt of the casualties. This event prompted the development of the Deltaworks, an intricate system of dams and storm surge barriers, in the Netherlands.
#5 The 2010 Pakistan Floods
Following extraordinary monsoon rains primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Baluchistan regions, the floods in Pakistan left approximately one-fifth of the country’s total land area underwater. The disaster affected nearly 20 million people and resulted in 2,000 deaths. The UN Secretary-General at the time, Ban Ki-moon, remarked upon visiting the region that the floods were the worst disaster he had ever seen. Recovery and rebuilding efforts took years and had significant impacts on the Pakistani economy and its citizens’ livelihoods.
#4 The China Floods of 1931
Considered among the most deadly natural disasters ever recorded, the 1931 China floods saw a series of devastating events affecting the major rivers of China, particularly the Yangtze, Yellow, and Huai Rivers. Flood-related deaths were estimated between 1 million and 4 million, though exact figures are hard to come by. These floods led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions of survivors being left homeless and triggering widespread disease and famine.
#3 The Yangtze River Floods of 1998
Again, in China, the Yangtze River overflowed its banks due to above-average precipitation brought by the El Niño effect. The flooding left over 14 million homes destroyed and 3,700 people dead. Economic losses were estimated at upwards of $24 billion. The government’s extensive efforts to curb the flooding led to the relocation of millions and the enforced strengthening of riverbanks and dams – including the controversial Three Gorges Dam.
#2 The Hai River Flood of 1889
Another devastating event in China was the Hai River (or Hai He) flood in 1889. The deluge was caused by excessive rainfall coupled with cyclone activity, overwhelming dikes and causing widespread inundation. It reckoned tens of thousands of lives; exact numbers are unknown, and significant economic destruction. The Hai River flood highlighted the vulnerabilities of the infrastructural systems of the time and prompted a series of flood control measures.
#1 The 1935 Yangtze River Flood
Topping our list is another catastrophic flood from China’s Yangtze River. In 1935, the river experienced massive flooding that is often overshadowed by the floods of 1931. Yet, it was an equally horrific event with the death toll estimated between 145,000 and 200,000. Whole towns were submerged, and the property damage was beyond anything that had been experienced up to that point. The flood left a significant mark on the consciousness of the nation and was a catalyst for future flood control and management efforts.
Flooding can reshape not just the physical landscape but the course of history itself. These ten examples stand as a testament to the raw power of nature and the importance of our ongoing efforts to understand, predict, and mitigate such disasters. While we have made great strides in flood management and disaster response, learning from these historic events reminds us of the importance of being ever-vigilant and prepared for when the waters rise again.