Episode 269: The 1972 Black Hills flood
Summary
Host Jennifer Matice details the 1972 Black Hills flood, a catastrophic event in Rapid City, South Dakota, that killed 238 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The episode explores how intense rainfall and a lack of wind caused the Canyon Lake Dam to fail, sending a massive wall of water through the city at night. Matice recounts harrowing survivor stories, including the Masters family’s tragic loss of two children, and highlights the efforts of Mayor Don Barnett and first responders during the disaster.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Grow Therapy and intro
Housekeeping, paid requests, and social media
Episode sources and special features
Context: Recent mudslide in Nepal/Tibet
Geography: Black Hills, Rapid City, and dams
June 9, 1972: Weather conditions and forecasts
Storm development and lack of wind
Rainfall intensity and early flood warnings
Night of the flood: Rising water and debris
Canyon Lake dam failure and the surge
Survivor accounts: The wall of water
Teenagers trapped in the Rushmore building
Welding shop survivors and early deaths
The Ron family's ordeal in their truck
Casualties and the scale of the disaster
Damage assessment: Dams, creeks, and debris
Aftermath: Hazards and funeral logistics
Cleanup, mud, and body recovery challenges
Military aid and psychological impact
Rebuilding: Removing homes from floodplain
Community recovery and volunteer efforts
Legacy: Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973
Modern Rapid City and memorialization
Discussion on AI disaster reconstructions
Personal update: Dental work and podcast schedule
Sponsor: Gametime app
Sponsor: Onec Financial
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