Disaster Area

← Disaster Area2 sept · 1 h 15 min

Episode 269: The 1972 Black Hills flood

Episode 269: The 1972 Black Hills flood2 sept1 h 15 min

We all know what a good strong summer thunderstorm looks like, and we know just how much rain one of them can douse us in. But on a warm Friday night in 1972, the eastern foothills of the Black Hills -- and in particular the town of Rapid City, South Dakota -- were struck by storms which broke dams, overflowed creek beds, and killed hundreds.

Videos:

Disasters of the Century: Rapid City Flood Photasma Travel: Rapid City Flood 1972 Dakota Life: Remembering the 1972 Rapid City Flood Surviving the '72 Flood The Black Hills Flood: 50 Years Later 1972 Flood Special

Articles and books:

Images of America: The 1972 Black Hills flood, by Corey Christianson US Geological Survey: The 1972 Black Hills-Rapid City flood Weather.gov: The Black Hills flood of 1972 Rapid City Library: The Rapid City Flood of 1972 Obituary: Don Barnett