Floods in the United States: Part One

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What happened forty-five years ago on June 9? The morning weather forecast on Friday, June 9, 1972 in Rapid City, South Dakota was “variable cloudiness with a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms through Saturday.” I’ve been to Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota and never dreamed that this devastating flood ever happened. A light rain began to fall, but people did not take notice. The campers and sightseers continued their activities. But by the afternoon, the rain grew heavier. Massive thunderclouds moved in over the area, but the locals expected the rain clouds to move away and told the tourists not to worry. But, the rain kept falling in torrents, swamping Rapid City and the surrounding hills. In six hours, 14 inches of rain fell on the ground that was already saturated from melting snow and heavy rain from an early spring. Campers were upset and trying to keep dry in their tents and trailers, but there was flash flooding in the Black Hills above the city. Streams became torrents. Cars and trailers were washed away and hundred-year-old trees were uprooted. One rescuer, trying to reach an elderly couple was hit by an 8-foot wave and died. What happened next? It’s difficult to believe! Stay tuned.