The Great Mississippi Flood

In 1927, after months of heavy rains, the Mississippi River could no longer be detained by the levees. Several levees collapsed causing the Great Mississippi Flood. Six states and numerous cities and towns were affected by the disaster. For the community of Greenville, Mississippi the evacuation of its black residents was a divisive issue. As it would turn out, the deceit and greed of the planters would ultimately determine the fate of the black populace.

It had been raining since the fall of 1926 in the northern United States. March and April of 1927 continued to rain heavily. In April, record rains were experienced. Greenville, Mississippi residents began to worry that flooding would occur. Despite assurance from the Army Corps of Engineers who had recently constructed the levees along the Mississippi River from Cairo, Illinois to New Orleans, many white residents, mostly women and children, began to leave the area.