The Illinois Central Railroad Bridge, between Omaha and Council Bluffs, had water lapping at its tracks. The center span, which turned to let boats go by, had been positioned to stay open for the duration of the flood.Â
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
A weary youth relaxes on sandbags in April 1952.
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NEWS 52 FLOOD 1
Aerial view of the Missouri River and Eppley Airfield in April 1952. The view is northwest from above Council Bluffs.Â
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base fill the levee in April 1952.
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BEFORE AND AFTER: Views north from the Aksarben bridge that connected Douglas Street in Omaha to Council Bluffs. The arrow at left indicates a gate that's barely visible in the flood photo at right.
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
Exhausted workers take a break from their heroic around-the-clock battle to hold back the floodwaters of the Missouri River.
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
The bluffs of Hummel Park in April 1952.
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
About 25,000 volunteers massed more than 3.3 million sandbags to combat the rising waters.Â
THE WORLD-HERALD
flooding history
A sandbagged pumping station in the Omaha area during April 1952.Â
A small lake that will be built south of Gretna is a big deal, state and local officials say. The $7.5 million project will result in a 15-acre lake near 204th Street and Schram Road.
