March 16-18 Pittsburgh experiences its highest flood in history, referred to as the St. Patrick's Day Flood the waters rose on March 16 to 21.7 feet. (Flood level is officially 25 feet). Two days later, flood waters crested at 46 feet. The Triangle was inundated, power and telephone lines were blown down. Industrial fires raged; flood waters were polluted with raw sewage and industrial chemicals. 100,000 people lost their homes, 3,000 people were injured, some died.