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Summary of floods in the United States during 1960

Water Supply Paper 1790-B
Prepared in cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp1790B

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Abstract

This report describes the most outstanding floods in the United States during 1960. No major floods occurred during the year, although two floods caused severe damage the first in March and April in eastern Nebraska and adjacent areas, and the second in September in Puerto Rico.

Unseasonal rains in mid-March caused extensive flooding in north-central Florida. Several thousand persons were evacuated from their homes, and damage to homes, roads, and crops was extensive.

The most widespread flooding ever known in Nebraska occurred late in March and early in April as a result of rapid melting of a heavy snow cover. Most of the flood damage, estimated at about $3 million, was to roads and bridges. The flood area extended into South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Snowmelt in April supplemented by rains and later heavy rains in early May caused severe flooding in northern Wisconsin and in Michigan Upper Peninsula.

The most destructive flood of the year was in eastern Puerto Rico as the result of hurricane Donna. More than one hundred persons died, and considerably more than one hundred persons were injured; property damage was f.bout $7 million. Hurricane Donna also caused severe flooding as it passed over Florida and along the Atlantic coastline.

In addition to these floods mentioned, 31 others of lesser magnitude were significant enough to report in this annual summary.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Summary of floods in the United States during 1960
Series title Water Supply Paper
Series number 1790
Chapter B
DOI 10.3133/wsp1790B
Year Published 1965
Language English
Publisher U.S. Government Printing Office
Publisher location Washington, D.C.
Contributing office(s) Utah Water Science Center
Description vi, 147 p.
Country United States
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