In 1937, Paducah experienced the wettest weather on record; from January 21 through February 15, the city suffered more than a half year's rainfall. The all time high mark of the Ohio River at 60.8 feet was registered Febuary 2. Business was suspended, townspeople were evacuated to other towns, with up to 30 persons living in a home, sometimes sleeping on the floor. Feeding the masses, providing fresh water for consumption and bathing, and simply getting 'to and fro' was an ordeal. The city was grappling with the worst disaster in its history. Sixty billion tons of water, rushed past Paducah. The mighty Ohio River was whipped to a frenzy by other, smaller tributaries and streams that flowed into it. The town began an admirable plan of action; carpenters built 2,000 johnboats in a single day. Canoes, rafts, and motor boats were called into action. All told, fewer than half a dozen lives were lost, many as a result of pnuemonia. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Red Cross leapt to assist in the disaster; The American Legion and other entities were much in evidence. A common bond was formed; helping one's neighbor was literally the 'call of the day.' Coast Guard cutters dashed here and there, night and day, rescuing the elderly, and those still stranded. More than 700 people jammed the McCracken County Court House. The churches were full to capacity with the homeless.Ice floated in the water, cars were submerged, with only their rooftops visible. A 300 foot dock was built to offload refugees at 28th and Broadway. Paducah's people faced the rising waters with calm, they did what had to be done to survive the onslaught. Up to ten feet of water innundated Paducah. Only thirty telephones worked in the whole city. Plate glass losses were set at $125,000, with $20,000,000 worth of other damage done to businesses. Private homes suffered damage to the tune of $12,000,000.  When the flood waters receded, clean up was a massive task; and many a pair of hipboots were to be seen as trash and debris was carted out of buildings.Early in the 1940's Paducah's concrete and earthenwork floodwall was built, providing the town protection from an unpredictable river. Today, the floodwall has been adorned with beautiful paintings depicting Paducah's historic past, and one of the images contain illustrations of the numerous floods the town has suffered up to the 1937 disaster. The Market House Museum shows a 5 minute vintage film of the Flood to its vistors daily.