The article examines the use of the word “catastrophe” in relation to the floods and epidemics in St. Petersburg/Leningrad, and analyses the transformation of its meaning in relation to the catastrophic flood of 1924. The study shows that prior to the revolution, both floods and epidemics were perceived rather as routine and part of state and urban order that was in no hurry to change. However, the flood of 1924 served as a catalyst for change, prompting the Soviet government to take decisive action. The flood presented a challenge to the Kremlin, the Leningrad city authorities, the Leningrad police and the Department of Public Utilities of Leningrad, and led to the implementation of new strategies for combating disasters. The flood also presented a significant opportunity to undertake comprehensive repairs and modernisation of urban infrastructure, particularly water supply, sewerage, and road surfaces. Prior to the revolution, these networks, particularly those located beyond the city centre, should have been subject to repairs; however, financial resources for these endeavours were only made available through the all-Soviet-Union assistance to Leningrad, which itself was grappling with the aftermath of a natural disaster.
