The Great Flood of 1993 ravaged the city from nearly all directions -- with even the mighty Mississippi overflowing its banks. All told, an estimated 17,000 square miles were underwater across the Midwest, with 55,000 buildings damaged or ruined. Photographer Brian Chilson, then a stringer for the Suburban Journals, captured these images of the flood waters soon before they began to retreat. They capture downtown St. Louis, St. Charles and south St. Louis County just barely holding disaster at bay.

Read more about Chilson and his photos here.