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On this day, Memorial Day in 1948, the Columbia River, swelled by melting snows and heavy rains, broke through a dike near Vanport and the war-built town on Portland's northern outskirts was engulfed by rampaging waters. Loss of property was staggering but loss of life was not nearly the estimated death toll of 2,000. The final count of drowned was fifteen. Vanport was never rebuilt.
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