1935 — May 30-June 1, Floods, esp. Republican & Kansas Rivers, esp. NE, CO, KS-159-168
–159-168 Blanchard estimate.[1]
— 168 Benkelman Post, NE. “Death Rides Flood Waters.” Flood Edition of June 7, 14, 21, 1935.
–159-160 Blanchard tally of State Breakouts below.
— ~150 Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. “Western Floods Take Heavy Toll.” 6-4-1935, 1.[2]
— ~140 Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. “Flood Death Toll Climbing.” 6-4-1935, p. 1.[3]
— ~120 List of names of flood fatalities compiled by Nancy Knuth, Oxford, NE.[4]
— 110 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, 81.[5]
— 110 National Climatic Ctr. “Losses in Individual Severe Floods…Since…1902,” p. 122.[6]
— 110 NWS WFO, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 – The Aftermath.[7]
— 110 Sav. Natural Disasters: Some Empirical and Economic Considerations. 1974, p. 22.[8]
Summary of Fatalities by State
Colorado 26-27
Kansas 12
Missouri 3
Nebraska 113
Wyoming 5
Breakout of Flood Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted)
Colorado (26-27)
–27 Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing…Floods” 5-31-1935, 1.
–26 Blanchard tally of locality fatality listings below.
–24 Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “250 Believed Dead as Floods…West Nebraska.” 6-1-1935, 1.
–23 Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “23 Perish in Raging Flood Waters…” 5-31-1935, p. 1.
–21 Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, p. 118.
–21 Burt. The Great Colorado Flood of May 30-31, 1935: One of the State’s Top Three? 9-18-2013.
–13 Paulson, et al. “National Water Summary 1988-89 – Hydrologic Events and Floods…”
— 6 NWS WFO, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 – The Aftermath.
Breakout of Colorado Fatalities by Locality (where noted):
–10 Colorado Springs. Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead…” 5-31-1935, 1.
–1 Mrs. Emma B. Clark, 58.
–1 Lee Cimino, 35, of Ivywood, a suburb.
–8 Unidentified persons.
— 1 Eaton, 3 miles east. Paul Bertelson, 65, victim of Lone Tree flood, May 30 found June 3.[9]
— 3 Elbert. Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing…” 5-31-1935, 1.
–1 Mrs. Geishe, wife of the railroad section foreman.[10]
–2 Mrs. Mary Goff, 60, and her daughter Grace Emmaheiser.[11]
— 3 Hale. Mr. Josiah Harding, 40-50 and wife Harriet Harding, 45; son, Rodney, 13.[12]
— 4 Kiowa, May 31. Town of Kiowa. “Kiowa’s Story.” Accessed 7-12-2017.[13]
— 3 Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing…” 5-31-1935, 1.
–1 Soren Anderson, rancher.
–2 Mrs. E. C. Greenstreet, 45, ranch wife, and her one-year-old baby.
— 3 Siebert. Family “swept from their home.” Bodies found 3, 30 and 150 miles away.[14]
–2 Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Gesner, each 27.[15]
–1 Clarence L. Lothian, 60.[16]
— 5 Sterling. Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead…Missing…” 5-31-1935, 1.
Kansas ( 12)
–12 State. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–10 State. NWS WFO, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 – The Aftermath.
— 8 State. Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Worst Flood in History Strikes Manhattan.” 6-4-1935, p. 1.
Breakout of Kansas flood fatalities by locality, where noted:
— 3 Clay Center. “No names available.”[17]
— 1 Clifton. Forrest Grooms.[18]
— 4 Concordia. “No names available.”[19]
— 1 Scandia, Republican River. Man swept from Republican River embankment; drowned.[20]
— 1 Smith Center area (southeast of Smith Center?). Perry Wilson.[21]
— 2 St. Francis. Betty Jane Mosier, 6 and Kathryn Moser, age unknown.[22]
Missouri ( 3)
— 3 State. Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Worst Flood in History Strikes Manhattan.” 6-4-1935, p. 1.
— 1 Jefferson City. “No names available.”[23]
Nebraska (113)
–~140 Greeley Daily Tribune. CO. “Death Lists Mount; Flood Hits Kansas.” 6-3-1935, p. 1.[24]
— 113 NE Dept. of Natural Resources. State of Nebraska Flood Mitigation Plan. 2003, 17 & 63.
— 113 Neb. State Historical Society. Republican Flood of 1935: Nebraska’s Deadliest Flood.
—>110 Blanchard tally based of county and locality breakouts below.
— 110 Greeley Daily Tribune. CO. “Death Lists Mount; Flood Hits Kansas.” 6-3-1935, p. 1.[25]
–~102 McCook Gazette. “The Flood of 1935 — When [SW NE] felt…Nature’s…” 5-26-2015.
–>100 Nebraska State Historical Society. The Republican River Flood of 1935.
— 94 Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Five Streams Reach Flood Stage Levels.” 6-4-1935, 1.[26]
— 94 NWS WFO, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 – The Aftermath.
— 94 Pearson, D. (WFO Omaha). Top 5 Nebraska Floods. “Republican River Flood of 1935.”
Breakout of Nebraska Flood Fatalities by Locality (where noted):
–26-27 Dundy County. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.[27]
–15-20 Dundy Co. Benkelman Post, NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Flood Ed., 6-21-1935.[28]
–25-26. Benkleman. Blanchard tally (with range based on Taylor family figure).
–19-25 Benkelman.[29]
— 12 Benkelman. Greeley Daily Tribune. CO. “250 Believed Dead…” 6-1-1935, 1.[30]
–1 Mrs. Harvey Barnhart, 45.[31]
–1 Lois Burke, 3. (Benkelman Post (“Known Dead”) has age as 4.)[32]
–1 Pete Courtwright. (or Peter Courtright, 15).[33]
–1 Mrs. Robert Harrison.[34]
–8 Mr. and Mrs. Petit and 6 children
–1 Mr. James Robbin Pettit, 52. (Names of victims in Benkelman Post)[35]
–1 Mrs. Mamie Laumann Pettit, 44.
–1 Edward Walter Pettit, 18.
–1 Albert Pettit, 13.
–1 James Pettit, 12.
–1 LaVeta Alice Pettit, 9.
–1 Lee Pettit, 6.
–1 Adolph Thomas Pettit, 4.
— 1 Benkelman. Body of Orie (Ora)[36] Davis of Benkelman found ~9M west in Max.[37]
— 1 Benkelman area. Art Duvall, 61,[38] or 62.[39]
— 4 Benkelman. Bert Faylor, 48, Jennie Faylor, 45, Bert Jr., 18, Merna Faylor, 14.[40]
— 1 Benkelman. Joanna Osborne, 70.[41]
— 1 Benkelman. John Sandgran.[42]
–4-5 Benkleman. “George Taylor and his family of four.”[43]
— 1 Benkelman. Mena (or Myrna) Workman.[44]
— >1 Parks. Burt. The Great Colorado Flood of 1935…Top Three? 9-18-2013.
— 3 Franklin County, Franklin.[45]
–1 Frank Greenleaf, 55, buried in Franklin Cemetery.
–1 Robert Miller, 49, buried in Franklin Cemetery.
–1 Will Watson, 66, buried in Franklin Cemetery.
— 25 Furnas County.[46]
— 6 Arapahoe.
–1 Dessie Andrews, 50-60.
–1 Will B. Andrews, 50-60.
–1 George Henry Hays Jr., 30.
–1 Edward Albert Kirwan, 19, buried in Elwood Cemetery.
–1 Ray Kirwan, 44, buried in Elwood Cemetery.
–1 John Misterek, 50, buried in Elwood Cemetery.
— 1 Beaver City. Unknown woman in mid-40s buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery.[47]
— 3 Cambridge.
–1 Rev. Thomas Bragg, 60, buried in Arapahoe Cemetery.
–1 Kenneth Moseley, 3, buried in Fairview Cemetery, Cambridge.
–1 George H. Sayer, 65, buried at St. John’s Cemetery, Cambridge.
— 4 Edison.
–1 Ralph Blauvelt, 22, buried at Edison Cemetery.
–1 Virginia Blauvelt, 11, buried at Edison Cemetery.
–1 John DeVries, Jr., 46, buried at Edison Cemetery.
–1 Mrs. John Devries, 40, buried at Edison Cemetery.
–11 Oxford. McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
–1 Carl Dee Anderson, 9, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Glenn M. Anderson of Holdrege, 39, buried at Prairie Home Cem., Holdrege.
–1 Leona Anderson, 36, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Dorothy Fuchs, 32, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Martha E. Fuchs, 68, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Mary Jane Blauvelt Fuchs, 29, buried at Edison Cemetery.
–1 Willis Lou Fuchs, 7, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Emma Lindstrom Mills, 34, buried at Highland-Union Cemetery, Gosper Co.
–1 James Lee Mills, 6, buried at Highland-Union Cemetery, Gosper County.
–1 Chester Schultz, 18, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
–1 Rena Devries (Huff) Schultz, 43, buried at Oxford Cemetery.
—>22 Harlan County.[48]
— 1 Alma. Mrs. August Bohling.
–21 Orleans. McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.[49]
–1 Earl Anderson.
–1 Ray Bickford of Beaver City, 44; buried at Mount Hope Cem., Beaver City.
–1 Minnie Dake, 48, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Francis Rueben Delimont, 27, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Carrie E. Lacy, 50, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 William E. Lacy, 57, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Mart Madison.
–1 Martran Modsos, 35-40.
–1 Dorothy Neumeyer, 5.
–1 George Neumeyer, 3.
–1 Henry Neumeyer, 5.
–1 Irene M. Neumeyer, 22, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Fred Norstrum, 47, from Carter, buried at Carter Cemetery.
–2 Billie Pat Stevens, and Jacquline Stevens, 7, buried at Kearney Cemetery.
–1 Emma Olson Stevens, 58-60, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Mary Stevens, 88.
–1 William Stevens, 60, buried at Orleans Cemetery.
–1 Anna Schachtler, 64, buried at Upland Cemetery, Upland, NE.
–1 Elvira Schachtler, 33, buried at Upland Cemetery, Upland, NE.
–1 Lester Schachtler, 24, buried at Upland Cemetery, Upland, NE.
— 18 Hitchcock County.[50]
–6 Culbertson.
–2 Bernard “Red” J. Wallace, wife Delores Wallace.
–4 Wallace children: Bernice, Lorraine (or Lorrane), Martha Jean and Virginia.
–3 Stratton.
–1 Ethel Mae Black, 18.
–1 Mrs. Myrtle (Alva) Stonecipher, 46.
–1 Mildred Ellen Stonecipher, 14.
–9 Trenton.
–1 Edwin C. Colven, 47.
–1 George R. Colven, 7 (both buried in the McCook Cemetery).
–2 Mr. and Mrs. Owen Murtha, 78, and 76, respectively.
–2 Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith, 30 and 26, respectively.
–2 Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas, 69 and 32, respectively (or so it appears).
–1 Spencer Thomas, 32 (might be the case he was husband of Mrs. Thomas).
— 1 Phelps Co., Holdrege. Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Death Toll Mounts…” 6-3-1935, p. 1.[51]
–>12 Red Willow County. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–11 McCook.[52]
–1 Glenn Claude Bell (buried in Memorial Park Cemetery).
–1 Fred McIlvaine.
–1 Frances Maude Miller, 27.
–1 Charles Frances Miller, 9, son of Frances.
–1 Virginia May, 4, daughter of Frances.
–1 Claudine, 3, daughter of Frances.
–1 Beverly Jean, 1, daughter of Frances.
–1 Elizabeth Shook of Imperial (sister of Frances Miller), Memorial Park Cem.
–1 Fred Sullivan.
–1 Godfrey Swanson, buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
–1 Unknown girl, about 4-years-old.
—>1 Perry. Burt. The Great Colorado Flood of 1935…? 9-18-2013.
— 3 Clyde/Ames vic.. Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Death Toll Mounts…Flood.” 6-3-1935, 1.[53]
Wyoming ( 5)
— 5 State. Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing…” 5-31-1935, 1.
Breakout of Wyoming Flood Fatalities by Locality (where noted):
— 1 Cheyenne. George Garnett, Cheyenne truck driver.[54]
— 2 Chugwater area. Dr. Fred W. Phifer and his wife, of Wheatland, caught up in flood torrent.[55]
— 2 Glendo area. Mrs. Willis Stracklen; son, 5, trying to escape from farm home; rolled over.[56]
Colorado:
Burt and Stroud: “In an event that strains credulity, an astonishing 24” of rain fell in six hours…at two locations in eastern Colorado on the afternoon and evening of May 30, 1935. The amounts were recorded by two remote rain gauges which were located about a hundred miles apart [Colorado Springs and Burlington]…
“Two feet of rainfall in less than six hours would be close to the most intense such fall ever recorded anywhere in the world. Furthermore, unlike most other rainfall records of this intensity, the rain occurred over flat terrain in a non-tropical environment….Naturally, extreme flooding ensued…In the end, 21 people were killed in floods statewide…” (Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, p. 118.)
Paulson: “Flood May 30-June 1, 1935 Kiowa, Bijou, Fountain, and Monument Creek basins, and South Fork Republican River basin…Locally intense thunderstorms. Deaths, 13, damage in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.” (Paulson, et al.)
Newspapers
May 31: “Colorado Springs, Colo., May 31. (AP) – Colorado today counted 27 dead and missing in a week’s series of floods while neighboring Wyoming this morning added 5 to the list of probably cloudburst victims.
“While the cities of Colorado Springs and Pueblo and their environs watched waters recede today and engaged in restoration of the wrecked area, a new menace developed on the Platte river from Fort Morgan east as the stream carried off the turbulent waters that wreaked havoc elsewhere yesterday.
“Isolated Kiowa [CO] from which no word was received since a flood on Kiowa creek washed out communicating roads and wires yesterday, was shown from the air to have been affected relatively little. Men were making their way into the community on foot and on horseback today. Three were reported dead there and three in neighboring Elbert….
“The death list of 27 includes five drowned early in the week in the area adjacent to Sterling [CO] where the Platte again threatens.
At Colorado Springs a casualty list prepared by police carried the following names: Mrs. Emma B. Clark, 58, Colorado Springs, sister saw her drown; Lee Cimino, 35, of Ivywood, a suburb (body recovered); eight unidentified persons.
“The missing are Orville C. O’Neill, Pueblo; Mr. and Mrs. Herman M. West and two daughters of Ivywild; Helen Carver, Pueblo.
“Known dead at Kiowa and Elbert are: Soren Anderson, rancher; Mrs. E. C. Greenstreet, 45, ranch wife, and her one-year-old baby; Mrs. Mary Goff, 60; her daughter, Mrs. Grace Emmaheiser; Mrs. Lola Gishe, wife of a section hand….
“Fort Morgan [CO] on the Platte today, was completely isolated, with flooded railroads and highways, bridges on both sides of Fort Morgan were out and residences in the river bottoms were flooded. Residents meanwhile waited on rooftops and windmills for rescuers to take them from their perches. Telephone service with Fort Morgan was disturbed and the power plant was put out of commission.
“While Kiowa, viewed from the air, appeared little hurt, further investigations disclosed three dead there and a serious need for fresh foods. There was plenty of canned stuff available.
“It was believed that half the buildings in Ebert, a town of about 350 persons, were swept away yesterday but the three deaths were not known today….
“Pueblo which had suffered a disastrous flood in 1921, during which 57 persons died, apparently escaped with no loss of life in the current flood. However, the torrent cut in two the state hospital for the insane there with an estimated damage of $200,000. Fifty-four patients however, had been removed. Three residences of attendants at the hospital collapsed as the torrent washed away huge chunks along its course.
“East of Wiggins, near Sterling, the Burlington railroad reported today that its tracks were carried an eighth of a mile by the waters of Bijou creek.
“Crews had been sent thru the lowlands bordering the river between Fort Morgan and the eastern
Colorado border urging ranchers to move their families and livestock to places of safety. The danger is ‘unprecedented,’ County Commissioner T. J. Moore declared.
“Crow Creek [CO], overloaded by waters from a cloudburst last night, went on a rampage at Briggsdale, 25 miles northeast of Greeley, washed out bridges and covered the area with a mile wide sheet of water. It struck the tiny town of Cornish this morning and farmers in the area began abandoning their homes. No loss of life was reported in these areas.
“Semi-martial law, continued in effect at Colorado Springs today as a result of reports of looting in the stricken area. Only persons with police permits were permitted in the area.
“Hundreds of persons were homeless, many were missing…” (Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, 1.)
June 1: “Denver, June 1. — A stream as gigantic as the Mississippi river flowed thru the ordinarily dry valley lands of eastern Colorado today causing millions of dollars in property damage and an unestimated number of lives and isolating a score of more towns in Colorado and Nebraska.
“There were 24 known dead counted in the flood areas of Colorado Springs, Kiowa, Elbert, Bennett and Seibert and Glendo, Wyo. Reports received gave the number of known missing at 26 in the same areas and the Fort Morgan-Brush district….” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “250 Believed Dead as Floods and Tornado Sweep West Nebraska.” 6-1-1935, 1.)
June 3: “McCook, Neb., June 3. (AP) – Thirty-five bodies had been taken from the flood-swept Republican river valley in southern, Nebraska today when State Senator W. C. Bullard, general chairman of relief work here, announced the known death toll was about 140 persons.
“Meanwhile, J. M. Power of St. Louis, American Red Cross official, said between 1,000 and 2,000 Nebraska families are homeless and that his estimate was ‘conservative.’ In Washington, Governor R. L. Cochran prepared to appeal to the federal relief administration for funds for emergency needs and for reconstruction and rehabilitation. Bullard estimated 5,000 cattle were dead and 55 miles of railroad tracks were washed out.
“Rescue work and the search for bodies continued today in the eleven Nebraska counties which were devastated by the twin catastrophe of floods and tornadoes. The property damage was estimated at more than $12,000,000….” (Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. “Flood Death Toll Climbing. Nebraska Floods Continue to Take Lives on Monday. Approximately 140 are Known Dead…” 6-4-1935, p. 1.)
June 3: “McCook, Neb., June 3. (AP) – Thirty-five bodies had been taken from the flood-swept
Republican River valley in southern Nebraska today when State Senator W. C. Ballard, general chairman of relief work here, announced the known death toll was about 110 persons.[57] The Colorado-Wyoming death loss stands at 27…” (Greeley Daily Tribune. CO. “Death Lists Mount; Flood Hits Kansas.” 6-3-1935, p. 1.)
June 3: “Body of Paul Bertelson, 65, victim of the Lone Tree flood of last Thursday night [May 30], was found in the farmyard of the Victor Nelson place, three miles east of Eaton, shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. The body was found one-half mile below where Bertelson was last seen alive. The body was found by Percy Page of Milliken, son-in-law of the missing man, and other searchers. The jumper worn by Bertelson had been pulled up over his head by the force of the flood water and had caught on a post. As the water receded the body was exposed to view….
“Bertelson, who was employed as irrigation foreman on the Fred Cozzens ranch southeast of Eaton, was last seen alive Thursday night shortly before midnight when he, in company with others, had been working trying to save a bridge across flooded Lone Tree Creek. He is believed to have stayed on the span until it was washed away.” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Victim’s Body of Lone Tree Flood Located.” 6-3-1935, 1.)
Kansas
June 4: “Manhattan, Kas., June 4 (AP) — The worst flood in Manhattan’s history, exceeding that of 1913, had the town in its grip this morning. Water from the Blue and the Kaw surrounded approximately a third of the houses in this city of 10,000. Refugees and livestock were camped in the city park. All the city’s main business district was in the flooded area….All drinking water is being boiled….
“The flood gorged Kaw caused a general exodus among ‘bottom’ farmers. Approximately 100 families in Manhattan, Kas., left their homes and all available relief workers were put to work to help move others to safety. Only one highway into the city was open, and both the Union Pacifica and Rock Island railroad stations wee surrounded by water.
“A sudden rush of water late last night swept into Ogden, seven miles west of Manhattan. The town is located about a mile from the river.
“Nearby Fort Riley, home of the army’s cavalry school, was without lights, water and a dependable supply of gas. The 3,000 soldiers and members of their families were cut off from normal sources of perishable food supplies….” (Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Worst Flood in History Strikes Manhattan.” 6-4-1935, p. 1.)
Missouri
June 4: “….The greatest flood damage in Missouri centered around Pattonsburg, Boonville, Jefferson City, Chillicothe, St. Charles and Tuscumbia. At Pattonsburg, 17,000 acres of land were under water. The Missouri river at Boonville was five feet above flood stage, its highest mark since 1903. The Grand river was 11 feet above flood stage at Chillicothe.” (Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Worst Flood in History Strikes Manhattan.” 6-4-1935, p. 1.)
Nebraska:
NE Historical Society: “Like many other places in the West during the Great Depression, the spring of 1935 was extremely dry. Severe and intense dust storms routinely swept across the flat landscape of southwestern Nebraska, completely blocking out sunlight. If one was unfortunate enough to be caught out on the road during a storm, it was not uncommon to drive into the roadside ditch due to the poor visibility. When this happened, cars were known to overturn and be completely covered in wind-blown sediment. Often, these unfortunate folks were not found for years.
“But this all changed in May when the skies finally started to open up and allowed some rain to fall on the parched landscape. A few days later and after continued rain, farmers were excited that they could be in for a bumper crop for the first time in many years. But they were not aware of the major storm brewing in Colorado which would literally drown those dreams.
“The storm of May 31/June 1 was unique for two reasons: first, it dumped an incredible amount of rain – where the Arickaree and Republican rivers meet in Colorado, 20 inches of rain was recorded, and 24 inches in 24 hours was recorded along the South Fork Republican River. The entire upper Republican watershed witnessed an average rainfall of nine inches. This storm was also unique in that it moved in the same direction as the drainage basin. As a result, the Frenchman, Red Willow, Medicine, Deer, Muddy, and Turkey creeks all reached their flood peaks at the same time as the crest passed on the Republican River.
“According to witness accounts, the roar of the water could be heard coming down the Republican Valley five miles away. Many survivors also reported that there were two crests – the water came up on May 28, then receded slightly, but the second crest on June 1 greatly exceeded the first. At one point, the water rose six feet in thirty minutes and was ten to fifteen feet higher than the previous record crest. Another account states that the Republican rose 10 feet in 12 minutes in McCook; naturally, anything in the path of that wall of water would be destroyed. Water was twenty feet deep in some places, and the discharge was an incredible 280,000 cubic feet/second – more than 320 times the normal flow today. Water was “bluff-to-bluff” in areas where the bluffs are typically at least two miles apart. The town of Haigler was spared because it is situated on higher ground, but places like Parks, Benkleman, Max, Stratton, Trenton, Culbertson, and McCook were severely impacted if not outright destroyed. In addition to these towns, deaths also took place in Perry, Arapahoe, Orleans, Oxford, Franklin, Alma, and Cambridge. Some victims were last seen screaming for assistance from the roof of their home as it was being swept down the river.
“Due to the fact that deaths occurred in three states and that reporting back in 1935 was not very efficient, the number of deaths attributed to flooding differs. An accurate estimate would be 113 killed – most reports just say “over one-hundred” dead. A reported 11,400 head of cattle and 41,500 were killed by the high water, and one report stated that carcasses littered roads as to make them impassable. In total, 341 miles of highway and 307 bridges were destroyed, and 74,500 acres of farmland were inundated. The damage estimate of $26 million is almost certainly low – personal losses, bridges, agricultural, and railroad losses were all incredibly heavy. $26 million is equivalent to nearly $800 million in 1997 dollars.” (Nebraska State Historical Society. Republican Flood of 1935: Nebraska’s Deadliest Flood.)
NE Historical Society: “On May 30, 1935, torrential rains fell in eastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska; by early morning of the 31st, the usually peaceful Republican River was running bluff-to-bluff along its upper reaches. When the waters subsided two days later, over 100 lives had been lost and many millions of dollars of damage had been done. A number of persons from this community were drowned.
“After the prolonged drought of the early 30’s, the wet spring of 1935 had brought welcome relief to the region. By the end of May, however, the soil was nearing the saturation point. The rains of May 30th, concentrated in the basin of the South Fork and extending into the valleys of the Arikaree, Frenchman, Red Willow, and Medicine, poured into the main stream–normally 300 to 400 feet wide, turning it into a raging torrent one to four miles wide.
“The flood water came as a wall, variously estimated at from three to eight feet in height. The advance of the crest was more rapid in the upper valley, reported at ten miles an hour above Trenton, at five between there and Oxford, and slowing to 2 1/2 miles an hour upon crossing over into Kansas.
“To prevent the repetition of such a tragedy the federal government has built a series of six dams, five in Nebraska, across the Republican or its tributaries, serving not only as flood protection, but providing recreation and irrigation facilities as well.” (Nebraska State Historical Society. The Republican River Flood of 1935.)
Pearson: “On May 30, 1935 a historic flood swept through the Republican River, creating devastation along its path. On this day, as much as 18-24 inches of rain fell in eastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska. By early morning of the 31st, the usually peaceful Republican River was running bluff-to-bluff along its upper reaches. With all the water that roared through the Republican Valley Basin, everything in the water’s path, including buildings, livestock, trees, snakes, and people were washed down the river….Towns close to the river, including Parks, Benkelman, Culbertson and Cambridge, were flooded. Cambridge, the most affected, had nearly three-fourths of its homes flooded. Ninety-four people were killed, 341 miles of highway were damaged and 307 bridges were damaged or destroyed. In all, the total damage from this event was estimated at $26 million dollars ($440 million in 2013 dollars.)
Wyoming:
May 31: “Wyoming’s flood deaths occurred in two widely separated areas. A woman and her son were drowned near Glendo as, terrified, they attempted to escape from their farm home as the torrents rolled by. A doctor and his wife were caught by a torrent in the Chugwater area. A man also was missing….
“….The Wyoming victims were — Mrs. Willis Stracklen and her five-year-old son, near Glendo; Dr. Fred W. Phifer, of Wheatland, and his wife; a Cheyenne truck driver, tentatively identified as George Garnett, was the fifth flood victim.
“Those injured and not given much chance to recover are two other children, Mrs. Stracklen and
her husband, a rancher, and Wood Phifer, son of the dead couple….” (Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, 1.)
Sources
Ancestry.com. “Kiowa 1935 Flood Victims.” Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.ancestry.com/boards/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=242&p=localities.northam.usa.states.colorado.counties.elbert
Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Five Streams Reach Flood Stage Levels.” 6-4-1935, p. 1. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-jun-04-1935-p-1/?tag
Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Worst Flood in History Strikes Manhattan.” 6-4-1935, p. 1. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-jun-04-1935-p-1/?tag
Benkelman Post and News-Chronicle, NE. “Death Rides Flood Waters.” Souvenir Flood Edition combining flood news from regular issues of June 7, 14 & 21, 1935. Accessed 7-13-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/gld/1935flood/pdf/BenkelmanPostSouvenirFloodEdition.pdf
Burt, Christopher C. and Mark Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. W. W. Norton & Co., 2004, 304 pages. Google preview accessed 1-1-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=NuP7ATq9nWgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Burt, Christopher C. The Great Colorado Flood of May 30-31, 1935: One of the State’s Top Three? Weather Underground, 9-18-2013. WunderBlog Archive. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/the-great-colorado-flood-of-may-3031-1935-one-of-the-states-top-.html
Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. “Flood Death Toll Climbing. Nebraska Floods Continue to Take Lives on Monday. Approximately 140 are Known Dead…” 6-4-1935, p. 1. Accessed 11-8-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=156437449
Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, TX. “Western Floods Take Heavy Toll” (Photo Caption). 6-4-1935, p. 1. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corsicana-semi-weekly-light-jun-04-1935-p-1/?tag
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “23 Perish in Raging Flood Waters; Weld County Loss Mounting.” 5-31-1935, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=55222310
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “250 Believed Dead as Floods and Tornado Sweep West Nebraska.” 6-1-1935, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=50986837
Greeley Daily Tribune. CO. “Death Lists Mount; Flood Hits Kansas.” 6-3-1935, p. 1. Accessed 11-8-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=55222318
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Victim’s Body of Lone Tree Flood Located.” 6-3-1935, 1. Accessed 11-8-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=55222318
Kearney Hub (Lori Potter), Kearney, NE. “1935 Republican River flood was Nebraska’s Hurricane Katrina. 2-5-2011. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/republican-river-flood-was-nebraska-s-hurricane-katrina/article_4d2f3dd4-3109-11e0-b48e-001cc4c002e0.html
Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=170596601
Lincoln Journal Star. “12 of the deadliest disasters in Nebraska history.” 6-15-2017. Accessed 7-3-2017 at: http://journalstar.com/blogs/photofiles/of-the-deadliest-disasters-in-nebraska-history/collection_6ae50d55-7d8a-5b6f-b1c3-b0b54cfe84f0.html#8
Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.
McCook Gazette (Connie Jo Disco), NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more than just a list of names.” 5-29-2015. Accessed 7-13-2017 at: http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2200047.html
McCook Gazette (Connie Jo Discoe), McCook, NE. “The Flood of 1935 — When Southwest Nebraska felt Mother Nature’s wrath.” 5-26-2015. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2198823.html
National Climatic Center. “Late Reports. Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States Since July 1902,” page 122 in Climatological Data National Summary, Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1976. Asheville, NC: NCC, Environmental Data Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Google digitized. Accessed 12-3-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UyMIAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 — A Closer Look at Max, Nebraska. Goodland, KS: NWS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/gld/1935flood-max
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 – The Aftermath. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/gld/1935flood-aftermath
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of May 30, 1935 (webpage). Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/gld/1935flood
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. State of Nebraska Flood Mitigation Plan. Lincoln, NE: Jan 2003. http://dnrdata.dnr.ne.gov/download/Floodplain/Nebraska-Flood-Mitigation-Plan.pdf
Nebraska State Historical Society. Republican Flood of 1935: Nebraska’s Deadliest Flood. Accessed at: http://www.dnr.state.ne.us/floodplain/mitigation/1935flood.html
Paulson, R.W., E.B. Chase, R.S. Roberts, and D.W. Moody (Compilers). “National Water Summary 1988-89 – Hydrologic Events and Floods and Droughts. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375; excerpted in Major Floods and Droughts in California (website). 1991. 10-9-2009 at: http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/impacts/hydrology/state_fd/cawater1.html
Pearson, David. (Senior Service Hydrologist, WFO Omaha). Top 5 Nebraska Floods. “Republican River Flood of 1935.” Accessed 7-12-2017 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/gld/1935flood/pdf/Top5NebraskaFloods_for_HQ.pdf
Sav, Thomas G. Natural Disasters: Some Empirical and Economic Considerations (Final Report, NBSIR 74-473). Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards, Institute for Applied Technology, Center for Building Technology, Building Economics Section, February 1974, 74 pages. Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build74/PDF/b74006.pdf
Town of Kiowa. “Kiowa’s Story.” Accessed 7-12-2017 at: http://www.townofkiowa.com/?page_id=295
[1] We use as the low end of the fatality range the figure of 159, the low end of the range from our fatalities by State breakout. We use for the high-end of our range the 168 figure from the Benkelman Post, Benkelman, NE Special Flood Edition, rather than the figure of 160 from our own high-end tally from the State breakout. The Benkelman Post number is close to ours, is closer to the “action” so to speak, and may incorporate missing and presumed dead victims. Our own reading of newspaper accounts of the time show a large number of missing person reporting.
[2] The difference between these two numbers in the same paper is that the approximately 150 dead estimate is for the three-state area of Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, while the approximately 140 dead estimate is from an Associated Press report which apparently is just about Nebraska.
[3] The Associated Press article cites Nebraska State Senator W. C. Bullard, “general chairman of relief work.”
[4] McCook Gazette (Connie Jo Disco), NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more than just a list of names.” 5-29-2015.
[5] Ludlum here appears to simply reproduce the National Climatic Centers Chart/Table on individual flood losses.
[6] From table: “Tate Reports. Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States Since July 1902.” For May-June 1935 on the Republican and Kansas Rivers the loss of life is noted as 110.
[7] The figure of 110 deaths is from table “Damage from Flood of 1935, Southwestern Nebraska,” which in turn is from U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 796-B. 110 is derived by adding 94 NE deaths, 10 KS deaths and 6 CO deaths. Our own tallies are 113 NE deaths, 12 KS deaths, and 26-27 deaths. In addition we show 3 MO and 5 WY fatalities.
[8] Cites: Executive Office of the President. Office of Emergency Preparedness. Disaster Preparedness. Vol. 3 (Washington. D.C., Government Printing Office. January 1972). p. 8. This figure and the table in Sav it comes from is similar to the National Climatic Center table.
[9] Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Victim’s Body of Lone Tree Flood…” 6-3-1935, 1.
[10] Ancestry.com. “Kiowa 1935 Flood Victims.” (Cites Mae Erickson, 1989 Elbert County History, p. 8.)
[11] Ancestry.com. “Kiowa 1935 Flood Victims.” (Cites Mae Erickson, 1989 Elbert County History, p. 8.)
[12] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015. Another source as name of wife as “Blanche” (Benkelman Post and News Chronicle., NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Souvenir Flood Edition, June 21 1935. Hale CO is about 62 driving miles from Benkelman according to Google map directions.)
[13] “On May 31st, 1935, the worst flood to ever come down Kiowa Creek washed away part of the town. Homes and businesses were destroyed, livestock was swept downstream and four people lost their lives. Floodwater’s were described as: a half-mile wide, 12 to 15 feet high and the speed of a fast horse…”
[14] Kearney Hub ( Potter), Kearney, NE. “1935 Republican River flood was Nebraska’s Hurricane Katrina. 2-5-2011. Writes that “The first fatalities [of the flooding] were three members of a Siebert, Colo., family…”
[15] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[16] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[17] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[18] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[19] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[20] Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. “Death Toll Mounts…Valley Flood.” 6-3-1935, 1
[21] Not positive death occurred in Kansas. Notation goes: “South of Superior, Nebraska, into Kansas, 1 victim: Perry Wilson of Smith Center, Kansas.” (McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.) A look at Superior on Google Maps shows that the Republican River runs on west and south sides of Superior, dipping into Kansas in two places, and then again on east side where it remains in Kansas. Superior is just above the Kansas border and abut 54 miles driving distance from Smith Center to the southwest.
[22] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[23] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[24] Not used as the tally of fatalities in that this figure is so far out of keeping with official as well as press reporting.
[25] Known death toll in Nebraska, according to State Senator W. C. Bullard, “general chairman of relief work.”
[26] Cites an unofficial Associated Press listing and notes that “scores” were still missing. Also repeated Senator Bullard to the effect that “the known death toll [was] at 140” and that 38 bodies had been recovered.
[27] Range has to do with entry of “George Taylor and his family of four” which reads like five, but could be four.
[28] Highlighting to denote that we show but do not use for our tally, relying on
[29] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015. Writes: Upriver, Benkelman lost 19 (or 25, according to some records), because it was hit by the early waves of roaring water and floating debris, also through the early morning hours.”
[30] The Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, of June 3, lists the dead, citing Army Lt. Strunk.
[31] Age is from: Benkelman Post., NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Souvenir Flood Edition, June 21 1935.
[32] Another source has the death of 4-year-old Lois Burke as in Parks, Dundy county. (McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.) This could be, then, a double listing. (Burt notes as least one flood death in Parks.)
[33] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[34] Also listed as flood death in: McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[35] Benkelman Post and News Chronicle., NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Souvenir Flood Edition, June 21 1935.
[36] “Ora” spelling is from: Benkelman Post and News Chronicle., NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Souvenir Flood Edition, June 21 1935, which also gives is age as 60.
[37] NWS WFO, Goodland, KS. Republican River Flood of 1935 — A Closer Look at Max, Nebraska. Cites Wilmot, Bluff-to-Bluff: The 1935 Republican Valley Flood. 1995, p. 76. Another source also spells first name as “Ora” and gives his age as 52-60. (McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.)
[38] Benkelman Post and News Chronicle., NE. “Known Dead in Local Area.” Souvenir Flood Edition, June 21 1935.
[39] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[40] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[41] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[42] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[43] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[44] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[45] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[46] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[47] Presumably the fatality was in Beaver city. Beaver Creek runs east-west just below and to either side.
[48] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[49] Names of fatalities from: McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[50] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[51] Rescue worker, fireman Glen Anderson, when his boat capsized.
[52] McCook Gazette, NE. “The Flood of 1935 – Victims more…” 5-29-2015.
[53] Three men were trapped in their car and drowned between Clyde and Ames. [Blanchard: not sure where this is.]
[54] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, p. 1.
[55] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, p. 1.
[56] Lawrence Daily Journal-World, KS. “Over 30 Dead and Missing in Quick Western Floods.” 5-31-1935, p. 1.
[57] The second digit in the “110” is not clear. It is possible that the number is “140” as in the Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light article.