The Story of the 1977 Plaza Flood
Aftermath of the 1977 Plaza Flood. Kansas City Star
The 1977 Plaza Flood remains one of Kansas City's most devastating natural disasters. On September 12 and 13 of that year, over 16 inches of rainfall overwhelmed the Brush Creek drainage basin, causing flash floods that swept through the Country Club Plaza and surrounding areas. This unprecedented storm, described as a 100-year event, claimed the lives of 25 people and caused more than $100 million in property damage.
The night of September 12 saw two separate rainfall events, each of which intensified as it fell on already saturated ground. Water levels in Brush Creek surged beyond its concrete banks, creating a six-meter-high wave of floodwater that raced through the upscale shopping district.
Businesses assessing the damage along Nichols Rd. Kansas City Star
The flash floods devastated businesses and homes, submerging 77 of the 155 businesses on the Plaza in floodwaters and sweeping away hundreds of parked vehicles. The damage was not limited to the Plaza; lower-lying areas along the Blue River and other tributaries also experienced significant destruction.
One of the most terrifying moments of the flood occurred when natural gas leaks sparked fires, igniting buildings in the heart of the Plaza. Entire city blocks were damaged by either water or fire, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Witnesses described the aftermath as a scene from a war zone.
Courtesy - NortheastNews.net
While the city quickly mobilized recovery efforts, with the Plaza reopening in time for the annual Plaza Art Fair just days later, the flood revealed significant shortcomings in Kansas City's stormwater management infrastructure. The floodwaters had damaged old bridges and reinforced the inadequacies of the 1920s-era drainage systems.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had previously warned that Brush Creek was vulnerable to severe flooding during heavy rain events, yet little had been done to address the issue before disaster struck.
The 1977 Plaza Flood was a wake-up call for Kansas City, leading to long-term flood control projects in the Brush Creek area. Efforts to widen and deepen the creek, along with the installation of flood-control structures, aimed to prevent future disasters of similar scale.
Though significant progress was made, the legacy of the 1977 flood remains a somber reminder of the destructive power of nature and the need for proactive urban planning to mitigate such risks in the future.
If you're interested in learning more, KMBC 9 produced an excellent 4-part video series on the 1977 Flood.
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