City of Fort Worth Aerial Flood Photo Album

On May 16, 1949, six to twelve inches of rain fell on the Fort Worth area, overflowing the banks of the Trinity River and its tributaries. The flood claimed the lives of at least 10 people, caused over 11 million dollars in damages, and incapacitated the city’s water treatment facility; in one location, the floodwaters crested at 29 feet. The floodwaters receded by May 19 and cleanup began.

The Fort Worth City Manager’s office compiled this album of aerial photographs documenting the floodwaters that covered the north, east, and west sections of the city. Three index maps show the location of each photograph, which are referenced on the map with the last three numbers of the image. Each three-digit number is encased by a bracket facing the general direction of the photograph.