People evacuated from the Vanport City flood, gathered outside the American Red Cross headquarters at S.W. 15th Avenue and S.W. Alder Street in Portland. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 4 of 9).

People evacuated from the Vanport City flood, gathered outside the American Red Cross headquarters at S.W. 15th Avenue and S.W. Alder Street in Portland. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 2 of 9).

People using ham radios at the American Red Cross headquarters, at S.W. 15th Avenue and S.W. Alder Street in Portland, during a flooding event in Vanport. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 6 of 9).

Harold Miller at the Portland Armory, after being evacuated at a flood at the Portland Armory. He’s holding a sandwich and glass of milk. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 5 of 9).

People in a room of emergency cots at Ainsworth School in Portland, after being evacuated from a flood at Vanport City. Several people can be seen laying in beds. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 8 of 9).

An aerial view of dike work being done at Marine Drive and Gertz Road in Portland, near Vanport City. A group of houseboats can be seen at the right side of the frame, likely on the Columbia River at Marine Drive (negative 1 of 2).

Families evacuated from a flood in Vanport City, at the Portland Armory. Emergency cots can be seen in front of the stone wall of the room. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Monday, May 31, 1948 (negative 9 of 9).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. People gathered around a table at the front of the frame, while a larger group can be seen standing further back (negative 1 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at First Baptist Church in Portland. A woman in an American Red Cross uniform, Mrs. Ray Hausler, leans on a table while chatting with a family, while several children play with toys. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 1 of 1).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. Several people are seated around a table holding a phone, with other groups visible in the background (negative 3 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. People stand in front of a table under a sign reading “Clothing” (negative 4 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport City at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. The group is in front of a wood-clad wall, with some people sitting and others standing (negative 2 of 2).

A woman and child at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, after being evacuated from a flood in the Vanport City. The child is holding on to the woman and looking at the camera, while the woman, wearing a floral dress, looks downward (negative 1 of 2).

Nurse Virginia Davidson, smiles downward at a baby being held by another woman, at an American Legion Post in Portland, being used to house Vanport flood evacuees. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 1 of 6).

Children evacuated from Vanport during a flood, being housed at an American Legion Post in Portland. They’re sitting on the ground next to a woman, with emergency cots set up in the background. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 4 of 6).

Nurse Virginia Davidson, left, sits with a group of flood evacuees from Vanport, being housed at an American Legion Post in Portland. Several children are sitting with Davidson and other unidentified helpers. Jeanette Harris sits on Davidson’s lap. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 2 of 6).

A man stirs a pot in a kitchen at an American Legion Post in Portland, being used as temporary housing for Vanport flood evacuees. Three other men stand behind him and smile. Photographs from this series were published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 6 of 6).

Joe Boyington holds two children evacuated from Vanport during a flood, being housed at an American Legion Post in Portland. He’s smiling down at one of them, while both appear to be eating fruit. This photograph was published in the Oregon Journal on Saturday, June 5, 1948 (negative 5 of 6).

People repairing Denver Avenue at the point of a break, during a flooding event in 1948. Workers walk along the road next to a truck, being used to dump materials on top of the road. Flooded buildings and a water tower, likely at Vanport City, can be seen in the distance (negative 2 of 2).

Flood evacuees from Vanport at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. Several taxidermied deer and elk can be seen in the room, including a standing deer at the front of the frame (negative 2 of 6).

Flood evacuees from Vanport City at the American Red Cross headquarters in Portland. People can be seen gathered around tables throughout the room. A water barrel with “Emergency Water Supply for Incendiary Bomb Control” can be seen at the bottom of the frame, in front of several taxidermied elk (negative 5 of 6).

Photograph of the Steel Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. The high water has reached the bottom of the bridge. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a flooded area of the Willamette River in an industrial area of Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the east side of the river. There are several ships docked in the Willamette. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of a flooded area of the Willamette River during the Vanport Flood. In the foreground, a train is surrounded by water as the railroad is flooded. Taken from the east side of the river. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of long lines of railroad cars in the flood water of the Vanport Flood. The railroads are underwater. Taken from the east side of the Willamette River, with the west hills of Portland, Oregon visible in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of the Burnside Bridge over the flooded water of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 30, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.

Photograph of flooded NW Front Street in Portland, Oregon during the Vanport Flood. Taken from the Steel Bridge, Union Station and the Broadway Bridge are both visible in the background. Handwritten note on back indicates this was taken May 31, 1948. Taken by an unidentified student at the Northwest School of Photography.