Chapter 25 Summary

When news of the Mounds Landing crevasse reaches Greenville several hours in advance of the floodwaters, panic spreads. Many with means flee the area. Almost all blacks, poor whites and a few business leaders remain. Will Percy heads an organization meeting where the city's response is planned. When the waters come, they quickly destroy the city's protection levee.

As the waters flood the city, LeRoy realizes his dreams are being destroyed along with the society he has helped to create. He feels that if the black labor force leaves the area, it will never return. Without black laborers, the Delta will never recover. He sets about using his connections and influence to raise money, both as contributions and loans.

Rescuers bring thousands of refugees from all over the county to the levee to join the thousands from the city already there. After several...