The documentary outlines the events leading up to the 1928 disaster. On a November morning in 1913, 40,000 Angelenos gathered to celebrate the opening of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, a new three-part documentary series, explores what happens after natural disasters occur in three countries.

The American Experience documentary, 'Flood in the Desert,' premieres at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1.