Photo of the San Diego River at Old Town during the January 1916 floods that occurred shortly after the San Diego City Council agreed to pay 'Rainmaker' Charles Hatfield $10,000 if he filled Lake Morena. The floods are still considered the biggest weather disaster in San Diego history. 22 people died, bridges, roads and rail lines washed out. Dams collapsed, sending huge waves through the communities below. Houses floated away on raging currents, and 5 feet of water flowed through downtown San Diego.