#2 1972’s Black Hills Flood in South Dakota
Back in June 2022, this disaster had its 50th anniversary, and the people still around us that have lived through it can still tell us how horrible it had been. This flood was not the cause of any hurricane, but rather of an unexpected heavy thunderstorm that took the Rapid City region by complete surprise. Due to the weather conditions and east-bound winds, the storm stopped in place above this spot, and no one was prepared for what was to come.
Not only had the creeks overflowed since they received more water than expected, and swelled to more than 300 times their regular size, but the data showed that the water level rose to 12 feet in a matter of two hours! What’s more, the Canyon Lake dam failed under the intense pressure of the water, and the east foothills of the Black Hills and Rapid City became the target of heavy and uncontrolled water.
From there, 238 people didn’t make it out. This story proves that you cannot predict when tragedy is going to strike!
