1910 Great Flood of Paris

[1] In the winter of 1909–1910, Paris and the surrounding area experienced higher than normal rainfall which saturated the ground and filled rivers to overflowing.

In January 1910, Parisians were preoccupied with daily life and lulled into a false sense of security because the Seine's water level had risen and fallen again in December.

[4] Police, firemen, and soldiers moved through waterlogged streets in boats to rescue stranded residents from second-story windows and to distribute aid.

Although the water threatened to overflow the tops of the quay walls lining the river, workmen were able to keep the Seine back with hastily built levees.

To continue moving throughout the city, residents traveled by boat or across a series of wooden walkways built by government engineers and civilians.