Can you imagine a rainstorm sweeping through Rochester, dropping 6 to 7 inches of rain in a period of 4 to 6 hours? Sound like an epic novel or action adventure movie?
In 1978, Rochester experienced this exact scenario. The rainfall amounted to 1 billion cubic feet of water that created flash flooding that killed five people. Want to read more about the worst flood in Rochester’s history?
Be sure to get your copy of the RNeighbors book Flood of Memories, Memories of Flood. This book is crammed with photos, maps, and personal stories from the Flood of 1978.
Send a check for $13 to RNeighbors, requesting a copy of the book. We will mail you a copy. You can also email Executive Director René Lafflam [1] and arrange to pick up your book for $10 each.
Text from the Introduction of the Flood of Memories Book
This book documents a dramatic chapter in Rochester’s history—the Flood of 1978, as told by people who experienced it. Twenty-five years later, the memories are still vivid and the stories are still compelling.
Compiling this book has been a wonderful community project. In addition to the stories included in this book, we received hundreds of photos and newspaper clippings—only a fraction of which could be included. Thank you to all of you who shared your memories and memorabilia (even an original “I Survived the Flood of 1978” T-shirt). All of the original stories and most of the photos have been given to the Olmsted County History Center to become part of the permanent archive of the 1978 flood.
There are many whose talent and generous volunteering made this project possible and whom we wish to thank:
Phil Wheeler created all of the maps and scanned and catalogued the hundreds of photos in this publication.
Sue Wheeler conducted interviews, transcribed stories from the videotape of a Southeast Settlers neighborhood event, and served as an editor and proofreader.
Mark Bilderback helped to organize an evening of storytelling and reminiscing at Riverside School through the Southeast Settlers Neighborhood Association. Kirsten Gray, a Studio Academy student, videotaped the event.
John Hunziker and staff at the Olmsted County History Center provided helpful suggestions and assistance. The Rochester City County brought the project to reality by approving a grant for the printing of the book.
Sean McDonald, graphic designer, transformed our collection of stories, maps, and photos into this attractive book. Nikki McDonald added her editor’s touch.