Ohio Valley Floods and Their Meaning
The Department of the Interior of our general government, through the director of its Geological Survey, has issued a very important document in regard to the floods in the Ohio Valley. It is published as “Water Supply Paper 334,” and may be secured by addressing that department, Washington, D. C. The document shows that the flood of 1913 was the most destructive that has ever visited the Ohio Valley, the estimated property damage being over $200,000,000, besides the loss of life. It reports also that the Ohio Valley has not escaped having floods since 1873. In some years as high as five have occurred. Exhaustive study and research is being made with a view to preventing these disasters. The principal means proposed are an increase of the levees and the provision of large reservoirs into which the water can be turned. All such efforts to save life and property are commendable, and should be encouraged; but at the same time, we should bear in mind that floods and disasters will continually increase, and there are no devisings of men that can avert them. They are one of the signs of the times in which we are living. The stormy wind is fulfilling His word; and through these calamities that are baffling the efforts of men, and which are causing such great destruction, He is seeking to lead men to think and to study His word. And as that word is studied, the significance of all the startling events of this time becomes perfectly apparent.