water backed up in my basement

Hello, the floor drains in my basement backed up yesterday and i dont have a sump pump system in place. my house was built in 1939 and there is, to me, a really weird cut out in the floor that also backed up. I was wondering if anyone had any idea what it was. ultimately i purchased a sump pump and extracted the water out the window into the street.



here are some pictures i have:





http://ift.tt/1asyqER



http://ift.tt/1GQZqKL



any feedback/input would be greatly appreciated



thanks!!

water backed up in my basement