At the request of the American Red Cross, volunteers turned out in great numbers to give assistance to flood-stricken families in or near present-day Elmer City. This was a common scene, where volunteers placed a sandbag barricade in an attempt to hold back the Columbia. The barricade around this home was eventually built over eight feet high and pumps were installed to keep water from seeping through the barricade; in spite of this, the river finally broke through and inundated the home.

–  May 29, 1948