The Story of the Great Flood of 1951

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In mid-July 1951, Kansas City and its surrounding regions experienced one of the most devastating floods in their history, triggered by heavy rainfall that significantly raised water levels in the Kansas, Missouri, and other nearby rivers.

This catastrophic event affected vast areas across Kansas and Missouri, causing extensive damage and loss of life.

The Onset of the Flood

The flooding began in May 1951, with Big Creek in Hays, Kansas, experiencing significant overflow. This initial flooding set the stage for what was to come, as heavy rains continued into June and early July.

By mid-July, the region had received between 8 and 16 inches of rain over a few days, culminating in unprecedented flood levels that surpassed previous records set in the Great Floods of 1844 and 1903.

Impact on Kansas City

On July 13, the Kansas River crested, causing the levees in Kansas City to overflow. The Argentine and Armourdale areas were severely affected, resulting in the evacuation of 15,000 residents.

The floodwaters reached the rooftops of homes in Armourdale and submerged the Kansas City Stockyards in the West Bottoms, a major economic hub at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. This devastation marked a turning point for the Stockyards, which never fully recovered their pre-flood prominence.

Businesses throughout the West Bottoms suffered immense losses. The flood destroyed the TWA overhaul base at Fairfax Airport, a critical facility for the airline industry.

This destruction prompted the city to eventually relocate TWA's operations to a new airport in Platte County, which later became Kansas City International Airport. The flood also severely disrupted rail and road transportation, with many routes rendered impassable.

Residential areas were not spared, with entire neighborhoods submerged. Homes and businesses in low-lying areas were particularly hard hit, with water levels reaching the rooftops in some cases. The damage extended beyond physical destruction, affecting the livelihoods of countless families and small businesses.

The broader metropolitan area also saw widespread evacuations and emergency responses. Schools, hospitals, and other critical services were strained, as communities struggled to cope with the immediate aftermath.

Emergency shelters were set up to accommodate displaced residents, and the local government coordinated with federal agencies to manage relief efforts.

Extent of the Damage

The 1951 floodwaters inundated 1,074,000 acres in Kansas and 926,000 acres in Missouri, affecting numerous cities and towns. Major urban areas like Manhattan, Topeka, and Lawrence were extensively damaged, with thousands of buildings destroyed and tens of thousands of residents displaced.

In Kansas City, the flood caused severe disruptions, with 28 lives lost and nearly $1 billion in damages (equivalent to approximately $10 billion today).

In response to the disaster, President Harry Truman declared the flood one of the worst in U.S. history. This led to the construction of a series of levees and reservoirs across eastern Kansas, aimed at preventing such widespread destruction in the future.

These flood control measures proved effective during subsequent flooding events, including the Great Flood of 1993, which saw significantly reduced impacts due to these improvements.

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840 Rockwell Lane, Kansas City, MO 64112​
Built 1929 · $1,795,000
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ps: July 6-8, 1984 - The Jacksons at Arrowhead Stadium​