Floodwaters and Flames: The 1913 Disaster in Dayton, Ohio

Much like “The Hole Story of the Doughnut,” Lois Miner Huey shares her spark of inspiration for penning this story of the Dayton Flood.  In an Author’s Note, she indicates she noticed high water marks on the brick wall of a New York Factory Building recording historic floods and that one bore the year “1913.”  Having seen something similar, I could make a personal connection as a reader.  In a restaurant in Manayunk, there are high water marks for a number storms that hit the Philadelphia area over the years.

The photographs selected for inclusion are remarkable.  One that strikes me, is of survivors of the flood tightrope walking (or at least, trying to…) telegraph wires high above the ground and the swelling water.

The map including photos noting the location of the people featured through the story was helpful to understand where the disaster hit hardest.  The story reminds me of one where there are multiple different people’s perspectives that converge as one.  The writing is masterfully done and a bibliography and source notes, as well as a timeline, are helpful to readers wanting to learn more,

http://www.loismhuey.com/ 

Title: Floodwaters and Flames: The 1913 Disaster in Dayton, Ohio

Author: Lois Miner Huey

Published 2016 by Millbrook Press

ISBN: 9781467794329

This copy was borrowed from the public library for purpose of review.