河北省及其近京地区，在历史上出现过多次自然灾害，曾严重危及当地国民经济的运行和发展。尤其是民国六年（1917 年）发生的特大水灾，其破坏力相当之大，百姓罹难极其深重。面对这次惨烈的灾情，北洋政府和民间积极行动起来，想方设法地予以应对，并及时开展和进行了种种减灾救灾的相关活动，一些国际友人也参与其间，取得了相应的效果。为后世积累了一定的经验和教训，很值得研究和探讨。

There occurred many natural disasters in Beijing and its neighboring area in ancient time, which seriously endangered the operation and the development of local economy. Especially the great flood occurred in 1917 made considerable damage to the area and people suffered a lot. The Northern Warlords Government carried out various kind of disaster relief activities. Many foreign friends offered help too. All the measures to deal with the great flood are experience and lessons for us, which is worthy of our study and discussion.