Mississippi River floods Water Street

This undated aerial photo by G.D. Fronabarger shows the Mississippi River flooding on Water Street before the floodwall was built in Cape Girardeau.

Broadway is dry next to Buckner Ragsdale Co.

The picture might show the flood of 1951 according to signs painted on the Batten-Weiss Furniture Co. at the corner of Themis and Water streets.

We know the picture was made before 1958, because the building on the north corner of Themis and Water came down that year.

Here are some major floods with the crests:

1947 -- 41.88 feet

1948 -- 37.8

1950 -- 32.1

1951 -- 41.8

1952 -- 38.3

1958 -- 33.9

More blogs:

Early aerial: Water Street and Broadway

Mississippi River floods Main Street