The Governor and his family were driven to the upper story of their residence in the fort, with the water ten feet deep below that.
The whole river bank for miles was a scene of confusion and terror.
Every home was an alarming scene as the flood reached it.

The first thought was to save life.

Amid the crying of children, the lowing of cattle and the howling of dogs, parents sought out all their children to see them safely removed.

Parents and grown men and women fled in fright from their houses, and in many cases without any other garments than their working clothes.

The only hope was to seek out somewhat higher spots more and more removed from the river.