“Using sources such as newspaper reports, data collected by scientists, and diaries and letters from people living in California at the time, people have reconstructed the kinds of damage done in this two-month period. Because of the massive rainfall and flooding, entire towns were destroyed. In some places, the water from the flood was 30 feet deep, covering the telephone poles that had just been put in place. Farmers and ranchers all across the state reported that they lost their homes, barns, farm equipment, and most of their animals. The devastation was so great and affected so many people that the state of California went bankrupt trying to support the people who were affected by the flood.”
