Introduction
A flood is defined as the temporary overflow of a river onto adjacent lands not normally covered by water. The most devastating flood in U.S. history occurred in the summer of 1993.
The Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri, was above flood stage for 144 days between April 1 and September 30, 1993.
Approximately 3 billion cubic meters of water overflowed from the river channel onto the floodplain downstream from St. Louis.