Los Angeles’ 1938 flood was one of the largest in southern California’s history. The flood was caused by two Pacific storms that swept across Los Angeles in February and March 1938. These storms brought about almost one year’s worth of precipitation in a few days. The flooding killed between 113 and 115 people. Local government agencies responded by turning the Los Angeles River into a flood control channel. When the storm ended on March 3, the resulting damage was huge. The Los Angeles, San Gabriel, and Santa Ana Rivers burst their banks, flooding much of the coastal plain, the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, and the Inland Empire. Los Angeles County was spared destruction due to flood control structures, while Orange and Riverside Counties suffered more damage.
The storm caused $78 million in damages ($1.5 billion in 2021 dollars), making it one of the most expensive natural disasters in Los Angeles history. Here are some historical photos that show the devastation and the aftermath of the 1930 Flood.
