–72-84 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.[1]

–>60 Cdapress.com. “The ‘Great Flood of 1993’ was the Midwest’s worst…” 6-17-2013.[2]

— 52 Theiling, Charles (USGS). “The Flood of 1993.” Ch. 15 in Ecological…, 1999, p. 15-3.[3]

— 52 History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, July 22, 1993. “Kaskaskia is Inundated…”

— 52 Weather Channel. “The Mississippi River Flood of 1993.” No date (1995-2011 copr.)

— 52 Wilkins. “Living with the Flood: Human and Governmental Responses to…” 1996, p.221.

— 50 AccuWeather.com (Alex Sosnowski). “Flooding inundates St. Louis area…” 1-1-2016.

— 50 City of Kansas City, MO. Emergency Management History (website). “Disasters.”

— 50 FEMA. The 1993 Great Midwest Flood: Voices 10 Years Later. 2003, xii.

— 50 IL Assoc. for Floodplain and Stormwater Mgmt. News. “…Anniversary – 10 Years…”

— 50 Larson, Lee (NWS). “The Great USA Flood of 1993.” June 1996.

— 50 NOAA. “Quiet Beginning Heralded Nation’s Worst Flood in 1993.” NOAA Magazine, 2003.

— 50 NWS. The Great Flood of 1993 (webpage). Quad Cities, IA/IL, Davenport, IA: NWS.[4]

— 50 New York Times. “Great Flood of 1993.” May 28, 2011.

— 50 Webley, Kayla and Robert Holmes (USGS). “Top 10 Historic U.S. Floods.” Time.

— 48 Associated Press. “Midwest Flood, Waco Fire Voted Top Stories of 1993.” 12-31- 1993.

— 48 Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, 129.

— 48 Center for Environmental Sciences, St Louis Univ. “Mississippi…River Floods.”

—>48 Johnson, Holmes, Waite. The Great Flood of 1993…Upper… (USGS Info. Sheet) 1993.[5]

— 48 National Climatic Data Center, “Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters 1980-1994.”

— 48 NOAA. “NOAA’s Top U.S. Weather, Water and Climate Events of the 20^th Century.”

— 47 USGS, Missouri Water Science Center. The Great Flood of 1993. 1-18-2013 mod.[6]

— 43 AP. “Rest from rain…Midwestern…” Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, 7-29-1993, 8.

— 42 The Capital, Annapolis, MD. “K.C. Braces Against Deluge.” July 27, 1993, p. A2.

— 38 Galloway. Learning from the Mississippi Flood of 1993… Nov, 1995, p. 3 of 29.

— 35 Blanchard tally of fatalities identified by locality of death with State breakouts below.

— 29 Jackson. “Need to Keep Flooding in Perspective.” Aiken Standard, SC. 7-23-1993, p. 6.

—>19 AP, Des Moines. “Flood not done; Gore pledges aid.” Ottawa Herald, KS. 7-13-1993, p.3.

— 16 AP. “Mighty Mississippi continues rampage.” Hays Daily News, KS. 7-8-1993, p. 8.

Summary of Fatalities by State

Illinois — 4

Iowa — 5-17

Kansas — 1

Minnesota — 4

Mississippi — 1

Missouri — 49

Nebraska — 2

North Dakota — 2

South Dakota — 3

Wisconsin — 1

Breakout of Fatalities by State

Illinois ( 4)

— 4 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 1 State. The News, Frederick, MD. “Floods Knock Out Water…for Des Moines.” 7-12-1993.

— 1 Madison, July 22. Male, 22 fell into Mississippi and disappeared; body found days later.[7]

Iowa ( 5-17)[8]

–17 Zogg (Senior Hydrologist, NWSWFO Des Moines, IA. The Top Five Iowa Floods. 3-2014.

— 5 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 1 Des Moines River floodwaters, July 24. Male, 45; tried to drive over water-covered bridge.[9]

— 1 Ely/Shueyville area, July 7. Male, 70, drove his car off county road F-12 into floodwater.[10]

Kansas ( 1)

— 1 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

Minnesota ( 4)

— 4 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 3 State. The News, Frederick MD. “Floods Knock Out Water…for Des Moines.” 7-12-1993.

— 1 Le Center, Le Sueur Co., June. Drowning; girl, 5, “fell into the raging Cannon River…”[11]

— 1 Marshall, Lyon Co., Redwood Riv., June 17-30. Drowning; boy, 4 fell into swollen river.[12]

— 1 Wanamingo, ~July 5. Drowning; boy (Andrew Sather), 5, “in…swollen Zumbro River…”[13]

Mississippi ( 1)

— 1 Vicksburg, Warren Co., July 11. Drowning; male drove his automobile into flood waters.[14]

Missouri (49)

–50 Statewide. Wilkins. “Living with the Flood…” Chap. 10, p. 221 in Changnon, 1996.[15]

–49 MO Monthly Vital Statistics. “Focus…1993 Elderly Mortality…”28/10, Dec 1994, p. 3.[16]

–44 State Adding June flash flood fatality to 43 deaths (July 1-early Nov) reported by CDC.

–43 State, July 1-early Nov. CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality–Missouri, 1993.” 12-10-1993.[17]

–27 State, July 1-Aug 31. CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality–Missouri, 1993.” 12-10-1993

–21 “…directly related to the floods and resulted from drowning…”

— 6 Indirect (“i.e., flood-related…with no direct physical contact with flood water).

–13 Motor-vehicle related.

–16 Flash-flooding.

–14 From drowning

–8 Four separate motor-vehicle-related incidents.

–11 Riverine flooding.

–7 Drowning.

–3 Separate motor-vehicle-related incidents.

— 6 Indirect

–2 Electrocution.

–2 Stress-induced cardiac arrests.

–2 Trauma, motor-vehicle crashes when usual traffic patterns diverted

because of rising water.

–21 Flash and riverine flood drownings.

–10 Recreational activities.

— 6 Flash flood inundated a cave in which victims were exploring.

— 4 Separate riverine flooding deaths.

–16 Late Sep-Early Nov. CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality–Missouri, 1993.” 12-10-1993.

–14 Motor-vehicle-related

— 2 Rising water from Missouri River flooded homes.

–25 “ Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

–23 “ The Examiner, Independence. “Drowning victim’s body found in…” 8-3-1993, 10A.[18]

–22 “ Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–15 “ Independence Examiner, MO. “Officials: Worry about new rains,” 7-22-1993, 12A.

–13 “ The News, Frederick MD. “Floods Knock Out Water…for Des Moines.” 7-12-1993.

— 1 Buchanan County, July 30. Drowning; male, 51 waded into floodwater; swept away.[19]

— 6 Cliff Cave, Cliff Cave Park, St. Louis County, July 23. Boys and group home counselors.[20]

— 1 Daviess County, July 8. Electrocution; male, 51, standing in floodwater in his restaurant.[21]

— 1 Foster area, Bastes Co., July 25. Swept into Marais Des Cygnes; was sitting on riverbank.[22]

— 3 Jenkins area, Hwy 39, Barry Co., July 6; car swept off bridge; male, 53, female, 43, girl, 10.[23]

— 1 Jenkins area, Hwy 39, Barry Co., July 6; car swept off road by floodwater; female, 54.[24]

— 2 Kansas City, July. City of Kansas City, MO. Emer. Mgmt. History website. “Disasters.”

–1 South KC, body found July 11. Electrocution; male, 35, found in flooded basement.[25]

–1 Southwest Boulevard. Drowning; body of man found July 11 after water dropped.[26]

— 1 Lafayette Co., July 19. Drowning; male, 86, slipped off levee into Missouri River.[27]

— 1 Lafayette Co., July 29. Drowning; male, 30; attempted to cross flooded bridge entry ramp.[28]

— 2 Lawson vicinity, Ray County, July 1. Flash flood swept car into Coon Branch Creek.[29]

— 1 Lexington, July 29. Drowning; male, 35, rode his bike over a bridge into floodwaters.[30]

— 1 Prairie Home vicinity, Cooper County, June 6. Female, 69, swept off low water bridge.[31]

— 1 St. Charles, July 6. Drowning; female, 72; car she was in went into floodwater.[32]

Nebraska ( 2)

— 2 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 1 Loup River ~Genoa, June 24-25. Farmer/rancher drowned in overflow pit looking for cattle.[33]

— 1 Plattsmouth vic., July 14. Drowning; boating accident in flood waters near Plattsmouth.[34]

North Dakota ( 2)

— 2 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 1 Linton, Emmons Co., July 1. Drowning; female, when vehicle attempted to cross spillway.[35]

South Dakota ( 3)

— 3 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 2 State. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 1 State. The News, Frederick MD. “Floods Knock Out Water…for Des Moines.” 7-12-1993.

— 1 Dell Rapids ~Big Sioux Riv., July 4. Drowning; male drove car into flood water; closed road.[36]

— 1 Milbank area, Grant County, July 17-18. Male; pickup truck hit washout, swept away.[37]

Wisconsin ( 1)

— 1 State. Flood-related. Associated Press. “Flood toll.” Joplin Globe, MO, 8-22-1993, p. 10B.

— 1 Baraboo area, Sauk County, July 17-18. Car lifted by flash flood current, boy, 12, drowns.[38]

Narrative Information — General

Center for Environmental Sciences: “In the late summer of 1993 the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the upper basin rose to levels not seen in more than one hundred and thirty years. The discharge at St. Louis was measured at more than one million cubic feet per second. The weather situation that led to these floods was remarkably similar to that of the floods of 1927 and 1973, only worse. High winter snow melts were followed by heavy summer rainfalls caused by a low-pressure trough that stalled over the Midwest, because it was blocked by a stationary high-pressure ridge that formed over the East Coast of the United States. The low-pressure system drew moist air from the Gulf of Mexico that met the cold air from the eastern high-pressure ridge, initiating heavy rains for much of the summer. The rivers continued to rise until August, when they reached unprecedented flood heights. The discharge of the Mississippi was the highest recorded, and the height of the water was even greater because all the levees that had been built restricted the water from spreading laterally, and caused the water to rise more rapidly than it would have without the levees in place. More than two thirds of all the levees in the Upper Mississippi River basin were breached, overtopped, or damaged by the floods of 1993. Forty eight people died in the 1993 floods, and 50,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Total damage costs are estimated at more than 20 billion dollars.” (Center for Environmental Sciences, St Louis Univ. “Mississippi…River Floods.”)

FEMA: “The Great Midwest Flood of 1993 was among the most devastating natural disasters in our nation’s history. The National Weather Service ranks this flood as one of the greatest ever to have hit the United States.

“The flooding started in late May 1993—10 years ago—and lasted until September of that year. In some places the floodwaters didn’t subside until October. More than a thousand levees in the Midwest failed or were overtopped as flooding exceeded the presumed “worst-case” design specifications. At 600 monitoring points in the Midwest, rivers were above flood stage during this event.

“Nine states were affected: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Fifty people lost their lives. Fifty-four thousand people were left homeless and needed emergency shelter or extended temporary housing. Fifty thousand homes were destroyed or damaged, and 75 communities were completely under water. According to a nationally commissioned study[39][1], property damages ranged between $12 and $16 billion. When economic losses are added, the total is much higher.

“The effects on transportation and commerce from the Great Midwest Flood of 1993 were staggering. For almost 2 months, barge traffic along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers was at a standstill as was railroad traffic in virtually all of the Midwest. From Davenport, Iowa, downstream to St. Louis, Missouri, bridges along the Mississippi River were out of commission or inaccessible. It was the same story along the Missouri River. The 1993 Midwest Flood shut down 10 commercial airports. The estimated federal response and recovery costs exceeded $4.2 billion in direct federal assistance. The federal government also made disaster loans totaling $621 million to individuals and businesses.” (FEMA. The 1993 Great Midwest Flood: Voices 10 Years Later. 2003, xiii.)

Greatriver.com: “1993 Mississippi Flood Chronology.

“March 10. The National Weather Service predicts below normal precipitation for the summer: “but above average rainfall could mean flooding, given soil saturation, spring snow depths, and normal spring rains.”

“June 10. The first 8” rainstorms begin in Dakotas, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“June 20. The first dam bursts, submerging 100 homes to their rooftops on the Black River in Western Wisconsin. The upper 200 miles of the Mississippi River are closed to river traffic. Locks and Dams are not operating.

“July 5. The bridge at Keokuk closes.

“July 10. The bridge closes at Fort Madison, Iowa, which has experienced rain for 54 of 58 days. 830 miles of Mississippi River are closed to boat traffic between Cairo, Illinois and St. Paul, Minnesota. Over 100 rivers feeding into the Mississippi River flood by July 14. Unprecedented high-water on the Missouri River, Des Moines River, Illinois, Iowa, Skunk, Rock and Raccoon rivers (all tributaries of the Mississippi River) promote the massive flooding of the Mississippi River.

“July 16. The last Quincy, Illinois, bridge is closed, leaving no bridge between Alton, Illinois and Burlington, Iowa. The Mississippi River is flooded to seven miles inland.

“July 24. The Mississippi River at Quincy crests at a record 32 feet.

“August 2. The Mississippi River crests at 49.7 feet in St. Louis, Missouri. Eleven times the volume of Niagara Falls is flowing under Eads Bridge; enough to fill Busch stadium every 65 seconds.

“August 24. The Mississippi River locks reopen to commercial river traffic.

“August 30. The Des Moines River floods again, after another 10 inches of rain falls. The Mississippi River stays open.” (Greatriver.com. “Statistics, Stories…Chronology…Great Miss. River Flood of 1993.” 1996.)

History.com: “On this day in 1993, the levee holding back the flooding Mississippi River at Kaskaskia, Illinois, ruptures, forcing the town’s people to flee on barges. The Mississippi flood of 1993 caused $18 billion in damages and killed 52 people.

“From June through August 1993, the midwestern United States received far more rainfall than normal, particularly in the northern region, where water feeds into both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The unusually heavy rainfall led to severe flooding, particularly along the Illinois and Missouri shores. In all, more than 1,000 levees burst in late July.

“The incident at Kaskaskia was the most dramatic event of the flood. The town, virtually an island, was protected by a levee that the town attempted to shore up even after the bridge connecting the town to the riverside was wiped out by the rising river. At 9:48 a.m., the levee broke, leaving the people of Kaskaskia with no escape route other than two Army Corp of Engineers barges. By 2 p.m., the entire town was underwater.

“When the Quincy, Illinois, levee broke, there was no way to cross the Mississippi River for 250 miles north of St. Louis. In Grafton, Illinois, flood waters reached two stories high. Other towns had better luck– in St. Genevieve, Missouri, the entire town turned out to raise the levee. Prisoners were even brought in to assist the effort. The river crested at a record 49 feet, just two feet below the improved levee.

“The flood inundated 1 million acres of prime farm land and wreaked havoc on the area’s economy. Miles of wheat fields were too saturated to harvest that season. In addition, the herbicides from the farms washed down the river and severely damaged fish farms in Louisiana. Many other people lost their jobs when barge traffic on the river was suspended for two months.” History.com. This Day in History, July 22, 1993. “Kaskaskia is Inundated by Flood of `93.”)

Johnson, Homes and Waite (USGS): “….The Great Flood of 1993 began in early June with saturated soils and streams filled to capacity across the upper Midwest. Runoff from the ensuing persistent heavy rains of June, July, and August filled the streams and river channels. Flooding began on rivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin and eventually to the Mississippi River, cresting at St. Louis on July 12 of about 43 feet, equaling the previous stage of record. The Missouri River crested at 48.87 feet at Kansas City on July 27. This crest moved down the Missouri River setting new records at Boonville, Jefferson City, Hermann, St. Charles, and other locations. This record flow added to the already full Mississippi River just north of St. Louis, and resulted in another record crest of the Mississippi River at St. Louis on August 1^st of 49.58 feet, and record flow of over 1 million cubic feet per second…” (Johnson, Holmes, Waite. The Great Flood of 1993 on the Upper Mississippi River – 10 Years Later (USGS Information Sheet). 1993, p. 2-3)

NWS: “Uniquely extreme weather and hydrologic conditions led to the flood of 1993. The stage was set in 1992 with a wet fall which resulted in above normal soil moisture and reservoir levels in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi River basins. The Great Flood of 1993 was wide spread covering nine states and 400,000 square miles, and lasting at some locations for nearly 200 days.

“These conditions were followed by persistent weather patterns that produced storms over the same locations. Their persistent, repetitive nature and aerial extent throughout the late spring and summer, bombarded the Upper Midwest with voluminous rainfall amounts. Some areas received more than 4 feet of rain during the period. During June through August 1993, rainfall totals surpassed 12 inches across the eastern Dakotas, southern Minnesota, eastern Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Many locations in the nine-state area experienced rain on 20 days or more in July, compared to an average of 8-9 days with rain. There was measurable rain in parts of the upper Mississippi basin on every day between late June and late July. The persistent, rain-producing weather pattern in the Upper Midwest, often typical in the spring but not summer, sustained the almost daily development of rainfall during much of the summer.

“From May through September of 1993, major and/or record flooding occurred across North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Fifty flood deaths occurred, and damages approached $15 billion. Hundreds of levees failed along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

“Transportation was severely impacted. Barge traffic on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers was stopped for nearly 2 months. Bridges were out or not accessible on the Mississippi River from Davenport, Iowa, downstream to St. Louis, Missouri.

“In early July, Iowa was hit with numerous record rainfalls. Storm totals of up to 8 inches were again common. Record flooding occurred on the Skunk, Iowa, and Des Moines Rivers. The city of Des Moines, Iowa, was particularly hard hit by flooding on July 9th. The flow from these rivers combined with already near-record flows on the Mississippi River to push the stage at St. Louis up to a new record high stage of 47 feet on July 20th.” (National Weather Service. The Great Flood of 1993 (webpage). Quad Cities, IA/IL, Davenport, IA: NWS, NOAA. Not dated.)

New York Times, 2011: “From May through September of 1993, the Midwest suffered record flooding, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 people and damages approaching $15 billion. Hundreds of levees failed on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in nine states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois.

“The flood was one of the worst American natural disasters, and its magnitude was overwhelming. According to the National Weather Service, about 600 river forecast points were above flood stage at the same time, and nearly 150 major rivers and tributaries were affected.

“After it was over, governments at all levels acted to try to limit development in flood plains, and Washington spent billions of dollars relocating residents from these areas. But as pressure grew from agriculture and from housing developers, especially in the exurbs of cities like St. Louis, the regulations and guidelines were eroded and bypassed in subsequent years.” (New York Times. “Great Flood of 1993.” May 28, 2011.)

NOAA: “The costliest flood in U. S. history, huge stretches of the Missouri River (from Pipe Stem Reservation, North Dakota to St. Louis) and the Upper Mississippi River (from Minneapolis to St. Louis) overflowed their banks due to heavy rainfall, claimed 48 lives and caused nearly $18 billion in damage. More than 15 million acres across nine states were inundated, prompting 54,000 people to evacuate. Observations found that 95 points along the two rivers exceeded previous floods of record, many by 6 feet or more. Nearly 500 points along the rivers and tributary systems exceeded flood stage at some time during the event, and although the most intense flooding occurred from June to August, some areas remained above flood stage for five straight months.” (NOAA. “NOAA’s Top U.S. Weather, Water and Climate Events of the 20^th Century.”)

USGS: “August 1, 2003, is the 10th anniversary of the “Flood of 1993,” referred to by many as the “Great Flood” or “Record Flood of 1993.” The Great Flood of 1993 constituted the most costly and devastating flood to ravage the United States in modern history. Levees were broken, farmland, town, and transportation routes were destroyed, thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes, and 47 people died as a direct result of the flood.

“The Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported that the flood caused enormous human suffering. At least 75 towns were completely inundated, some of which have not been rebuilt. The Great Flood of 1993 inundated more than 20 million acres in nine states. Approximately 54,000 people had to be evacuated from flooded areas at some time during the flood, and approximately 50,000 homes were destroyed or damaged. Losses were estimated at 15 to 20 billion dollars.” (USGS, Missouri Water Science Center. The Great Flood of 1993. 1-18-2013 modification.)

Weather Channel: “The Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and flows south more than 2,000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico….

“There has not been a flood in recent American history that was as devastating as the great flood that affected the upper and middle Mississippi Valley from late June to mid-August 1993. Record flooding affected the Mississippi River and most of its tributaries from Minnesota to Missouri.

“The floods were caused by events which developed as early as the Fall of 1992. At that time, soil moisture levels in the central United States were already high. Winter rain and snow contributed to the nearly saturated soil conditions, so that spring precipitation and snowmelt – normally able to soak into the ground – could only run off into streams and rivers.

“By June 1st of 1993, rivers were running high as a persistent upper level atmospheric pattern developed over the central US. A trough at high levels of the atmosphere became established over the interior West. Meanwhile, southerly low level winds directed a rich flow of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico into the Midwest. Upper level disturbances riding eastward from the western trough encountered the moisture-laden air, spawning drenching thunderstorms. Wave after wave of these storms rumbled across the already soaked Mississippi River basin from June through August. By the end of summer, some locations had received over 30 inches of rain – nearly 200% of normal.

“Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri were hardest hit. At St. Louis, the river crested at 49.6 feet – over 19 feet above flood stage, and more than six feet above the old record set in 1973. The Mississippi remained over flood stage at St. Louis for over two months.

“Farther, north, record flooding occurred on the Des Moines River, a tributary of the Mississippi. At one point flooding disabled a major water plant, and Des Moines, Iowa, a city of nearly 200,000 people, was without safe drinking water.

“Transportation and industry along the Mississippi was disrupted for months. Damages to surface and river transportation in the region were the worst ever incurred in the United States.

“Over 1,000 of the 1,300 levees designed to hold back flood waters failed, though major cities along the rivers, like St. Louis, were protected from flooding by massive flood walls.

“Over 70,000 people were displaced by the floods. Nearly 50,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and 52 people died. Over 12,000 square miles of productive farmland were rendered useless. Damage was estimated between $15-20 billion.” (Weather Channel. “The Mississippi River Flood of 1993.” No date/1995-2011 copyright…)

Webley: “Date: May-October 1993.

“Significance: With more than $15 billion in damages, the flood was the second costliest on record; 50 flood-related deaths.

“Holmes says: In St. Louis, Missouri, the waters stayed at flood stage for 81 consecutive days. This is the flood that came and stayed forever. That’s the thing that sticks in my mind — that it lasted such a long time. I was young in my career at that point — I had been working as a hydrologist for only seven or eight years. I was out working on that flood for what seemed like forever.” (Webley, Kayla and Robert Holmes (USGS). “Top 10 Historic U.S. Floods.” Time.)

Illinois

NCDC Storm Data: “The Great Flood of 1993 along the Mississippi River Valley affected Illinois from East Dubuque to Cairo. As June ended and July began, the Mississippi River continued to rise. The river was above flood stage at most locations for the entire month of July. Record crests were reached all along the Illinois border. Significant flooding also occurred along many of the Illinois tributaries of the Mississippi, including the lower Rock River, the lower Illinois River, the Big Muddy River and the Kaskaskia River. The Rock River at Joslin and Moline was still about a foot above flood stage on the last day of July.

“On July 9, the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities reached 22.6 feet. This broke the old record of 22.5 feet set in 1965. River stage records from 1973 along the Mississippi River from Quincy south were shattered during this flood….” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993, p. 48.)

Iowa

Zogg: “Iowa Flood #1 – The Great Flood of 1993…Description and Impacts. The Great Flood of 1993 is considered by many to be one of the most defining natural disasters in Iowa history. Flooding resulted in 17 fatalities and around $2.7 billion in damage (nearly $4.5 billion in 2013

inflation-adjusted dollars). Over 10,000 people were evacuated from their homes and 21,000 homes were damaged — many destroyed.

“During the summer of 1993 some locations saw rain each day for 130 consecutive days. Some areas flooded more than five times. Agricultural yields dropped by 62 percent. Each of Iowa’s 99 counties was declared a Federal Disaster Area. When President Clinton surveyed the Des Moines area flooding on July 14th he stated “I have never seen anything on this scale before.”

(Zogg, Jeff (Senior Hydrologist, National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Des Moines, IA. The Top Five Iowa Floods. March 2014, p. 6 of 24.)

Minnesota

NCDC Storm Data: “The Flood 0f 1993 began first in Minnesota, within the Minnesota River basin and along the Mississippi River, just below its confluence with the Minnesota River. A good portion of southern Minnesota received over 200 percent of normal precipitation throughout the month of June. From June 15^th to 19^th, Marshall (Lyon County) received nearly 9.00 inches of rain with many southern Minnesota location reporting from 6.00 to as much as 8.00 inches of rain. With soils near saturation and rivers and streams running bankful from May’s rains, much of June’s rainfall contributed directly to flooding….” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993. p. 129.)

Missouri

CDC: “Public health surveillance documented the impact of flood-related morbidity following the floods in the midwestern United States during the summer of 1993. Because of extensive flooding of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries, the Missouri Department of Health (MDH) initiated surveillance to monitor flood-related mortality. This report summarizes epidemiologic information about deaths in Missouri that resulted from riverine flooding and flash flooding during the summer and fall of 1993.

“To identify flood-related deaths, CDC and MDH telephoned and obtained epidemiologic information from medical examiners and coroners (ME/Cs) in the 71 disaster-declared counties and in St. Louis (1990 combined population: 4,166,122) and contacted coroners of 24 counties adjacent to disaster-affected areas (1990 combined population: 435,127). A flood-related death was defined as a death resulting from an event that occurred after June 28 (when flash floods began to occur and the potential threat of riverine flooding was recognized by the State Emergency Management Agency) and would not have happened — given the information provided by ME/Cs — had the floods not occurred. Summer Flood-Related Mortality.

“From July 1 through August 31, ME/Cs from disaster-declared counties classified 27 deaths as flood-related. Decedents’ ages ranged from 9 years to 88 years (mean: 37.8 years); 18 (67%) were male. No flood-related deaths were reported in adjacent counties.

“Of the 27 deaths, 21 were directly related to the floods and resulted from drowning; six were indirectly related to the floods (i.e., flood-related activity with no direct physical contact with flood water). Thirteen of the 27 deaths were motor-vehicle-related (i.e., associated with operating or riding in a motor vehicle). Of the 16 (59%) deaths directly related to flash flooding, 14 resulted from drowning; of these, eight deaths occurred in four separate motor-vehicle-related incidents. Of the 11 (41%) deaths directly related to riverine flooding, seven resulted from drowning; of these, three deaths occurred in separate motor-vehicle-related incidents. Of the six deaths indirectly related to the floods, two each were attributed to electrocutions that occurred during cleaning efforts in or while reentering a flooded residence or business, stress-induced cardiac arrests, and trauma from motor-vehicle crashes in which usual traffic patterns were diverted because of rising water.

“Of the 21 drownings, 10 were associated with recreational activities. Six drownings occurred in one incident when a flash flood inundated a cave in which the victims were exploring, and four drownings occurred in separate incidents associated with riverine flooding. Fall Flood-Related Mortality.

“Flooding from heavy rains that occurred periodically from late September through early November contributed to 16 additional deaths: 14 were motor-vehicle-related, and two occurred when rising waters from the Missouri River flooded homes. Four deaths were associated with the Missouri River and 12 with smaller rivers or creeks. Reported by: HD Donnell, Jr, MD, State Epidemiologist, R Hamm, MD, Office of Epidemiology, Missouri Dept of Health. Emergency Response and Coordination Group, and Disaster Assessment and Epidemiology Section, Health Studies Br, Div of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC.” (CDC. “Flood-Related Mortality–Missouri, 1993.” Dec 10, 1993)

City of Kansas City: “Flood – July 1993. Known as the Great Midwest Flood this disaster reached across the heartland including the Kansas City area. Throughout the Midwest flood waters wreaked havoc destroying whole towns, homes, businesses, farm lands, and taking lives. In Kansas City, flash floods inundated Southwest Boulevard flooding dozens of business and both Kemper Arena and the American Royal building had flood water in them. Over 50 people nationwide were killed in the flood including 2 in Kansas City. The total cost was estimated at $23.1 billion nationwide with $18 million sustained in Kansas City.” (City of Kansas City, MO. Emergency Management History (website). “Disasters.” Accessed 1-3-2016.)

Chronological

July 12, The News, Frederick, MD: “Des Moines, Iowa (AP) – Rising flood waters knocked out the water system in Des Moines and left thousands in the city without electricity as the out-of-control Mississippi and its tributaries swallowed more land across the Midwest. Downtown Des Moines was closed for business today because of the weekend flooding by the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. A water

treatment plant serving about 250,000 people in the Des Moines area was forced to shut down Sunday when floodwaters rose past its 15-foot dikes. City officials said it might take a month to restore water service. Water was trucked to distribution points in the meantime. “It may be some tune before we do some laundry,” said Des Moines Mayor John “Pat” Dorrian said today. “But we will have adequate drinking water.”

“Seven electric substations also were inundated, affecting up to 30,000 people before much utility service was restored. About 4,000 customers still lacked power this morning. Full restoration could take a week, officials said. “I’ve never seen anything of this magnitude,” said Gov. Terry Branstad, whose official residence also was without water or power. “The old-timers I’ve talked to say that they don’t ever remember seeing anything of this magnitude.”

“Flooding along the Mississippi and other rivers has forced more than 30,000 people from their homes and caused 18 deaths since late last month. Officials estimate crop and property damage at more than $2 billion in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.

“The White House extended federal disaster relief Sunday to 44 more counties in Missouri, bringing the total region-wide to 132. Vice President Al Gore planned to tour the waterlogged St. Louis area today. Several hundred people in south St. Louis were asked Sunday to voluntarily leave their homes as another Mississippi tributary, the River Des Peres, continued to rise. The water was expected to soon reach a level that would flood basements and low-lying areas. Officials said utilities would be shut off tonight and police and the National Guard would begin patrolling the evacuated areas.

“Forecasters predicted another two days of fairly heavy rain in the upper Midwest before the weather begins to dry out midweek. But so much rain has already fallen that experts say flooding could continue to the end of August.

“Residents of Des Moines, the state’s largest city with more than 190,000 residents, and eight suburbs scrambled to buy bottled water Sunday, but found many stores were closed because of the power outage. By afternoon, National Guard troops had set up 29 water distribution points around the city. Water was being hauled from as far away as Omaha, Neb., 125 miles to the west. People were allowed up to 2 gallons each if they brought their own containers. A more liberal giveaway was planned for today. A hotline was set up for deliveries to the elderly and disabled….”

Flood Stats:

“Illinois: Deaths, 1.

Estimated crop loss: More than $160 million.

Number of evacuations: 10,000.

Acreage flooded: More than 500,000 acres of cropland.

Number of floodwalls or levees breached: 2 levees breached.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): 26 state disaster areas, 12 federal disaster areas.

“Iowa: Deaths, 0.

Estimated property and crop damage: $1 billion, including at least $21 million damage to homes, $3 million to businesses, $5.5 million for temporary housing.

Number of evacuations: At least 6,000 people.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): 51 state disaster areas, 11 counties declared federal disaster areas.

“Minnesota: Deaths, 3.

Estimated property damage: $8 million to public property. No figure available for private property.

Estimated crop loss: $400 million – Number of homes damaged: About 10,000.

Acreage flooded: 2.6 million.

Number of floodwalls or levees breached: None.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): 23 federal. Nine counties are still being assessed.

“Missouri: Deaths 13

Estimated property damage: $500 million to $1 billion.

Estimated crop loss: Tens of millions of dollars.

Number of evacuations: At least 14,000 statewide.

Number of homes damaged: At least 5,000 homes damaged by floods.

Number of floodwalls or levees breached: more than 100 breaks in levees along Missouri River. Twenty-five levees breached or topped on Mississippi.

Number of counties declared disaster areas: five federal disaster areas.

“Nebraska: Deaths, 0

Estimated property damage: At least $2 million.

Number of evacuations: More than 100 homes.

Acreage flooded: Thousands.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): Three declared state disaster areas.

“South Dakota: Deaths, 1

Estimated property damage: $8.1 million (public property only).

Estimated crop loss: $572.4 million.

Number of evacuations: Statewide estimate unavailable, but 2,000 people in Madison on July 3.

Number of homes damaged: 960,10 destroyed.

Acreage flooded: More than 3 million acres of farmland.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): 17 counties declared state disaster areas; 33 counties as state agricultural emergency areas.

“Wisconsin: Deaths. 0.

Estimated property and crop damage: $258 million.

Number of homes damaged: More than 1,500.

Number of counties declared disaster areas (state or federal): 37 eligible for both state and federal disaster aid.”

(The News, Frederick MD. “Floods Knock Out Water…for Des Moines.” 7-12-1993.)

July 27: “Kansas City, Mo. (AP) – Thousands of businesses and homeowners put sandbags at their doors, boarded up their windows and cleared out as the Missouri and Kansas rivers closed in, both of them building toward a crest today….

“The Kansas River, which converges with the Missouri at Kansas City, was expected to crest at 55 feet this morning – well above the flood stage of 33 feet and close to the top of a 57-foot-high levee. The Missouri was expected to crest tonight at a record 49.5 feet, 17 feet over flood stage and just below the flood walls, which are about 52 feet high….

“No immediate evacuations were ordered in Kansas City, Mo. About 3,500 people were evacuated last night from Armourdale, a low-lying residential and commercial neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan., across the Missouri River. Water crept into mostly empty Armourdale before daybreak….

“Flooding across the Midwest had been blamed for at least 42 deaths. Damage has been put at more than $10 billion. About 50 miles north of Kansas City, Mo., 85,000 St. Joseph-area residents remained without water for a fourth day. Floodwaters knocked out the city’s water treatment plant on Saturday. Officials said the plant may not be fixed until Friday or later….

“Missouri looked to Iowa for advice. After floodwaters knocked out Des Moines’ water treatment plant, some 250,0000 people went 12 days without running water until last week….

“South of St. Louis along the Mississippi…The river is expected to crest at Ste. Genevieve next week at 48 feet. Volunteers worked to build up the levees to 50 feet.” (The Capital, Annapolis, MD. “K.C. Braces Against Deluge.” July 27, 1993, p. A2.)

Dec 31, AP: “The Great Flood of ’93 — with its death, destruction and distress that tested Midwest mettle in nine states — was named the top news story of the year in a survey of news executives by The Associated Press….

“(1) Flood — The numbers only told part of the story: 48 dead, more than $10 billion in damage, farmlands twice the size of New Jersey inundated, 100 rivers over flood stage and 15 waterways at all-time high levels, 70,000 people displaced, 421 counties declared disaster areas, 50 towns ravaged, 70 percent of the region’s levees overwhelmed, barge traffic grounded, the Mississippi at St. Louis over flood stage for a record 80 days.

“But for all the losses, there were also heroic struggles by volunteer sandbaggers to hold back the roiling rivers. The town of Valmeyer, Ill., voted to relocate on higher ground while others debated the wisdom of trying to control the Mississippi behind floodwalls.” (Associated Press). “Midwest Flood, Waco Fire Voted Top Stories of 1993.” 12-31- 1993.)

Sources

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Associated Press. Des Moines, IA. “Flood not done; Gore pledges aid.” Ottawa Herald, KS. 7-13-1993, p. 3. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=139984232&sterm

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Associated Press, Keithsburg, Ill. “Mighty Mississippi continues rampage.” Hays Daily News, KS. 7-8-1993, p. 8. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=135058496&sterm

Associated Press, Prairie Du Chien, Wis. “Mississippi River above flood stage.” Salina Journal, KS, 6-30-1993, p. 1. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=138886571&sterm

Associated Press, Peruque, Mo. “Rains feed Mississippi flood.” Hays Daily News, KS, 7-6-1993, p. 7. Accessed 3-22-2016: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=143661661&sterm

Associated Press, St. Louis, MO. “Rest from rain brief relief for soggy Midwestern residents.” Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, 7-29-1993, p. 8. Accessed 3-23-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=259697589&sterm

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Associated Press, Lawson, MO. “Two teens drown while crossing creek.” The Examiner, Independence, MO, 7-2-1993, p. 2A. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=295473211&sterm

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

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Galloway, Gerald E. Jr. Learning from the Mississippi Flood of 1993: Impacts, Management Issues, and Areas for Research. Paper, U.S. – Italy Research Workshop on the Hydrometeorology, Impacts and Management of Extreme Floods, Perugia (Italy), November, 1995, 29 pages. Accessed 3-23-2016 at: http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ce/facultystaff/salas/us-italy/papers/12galloway.pdf

Greatriver.com. “Statistics, Stories, and Chronology from the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1993.” 1996. Accessed at: http://www.greatriver.com/FLOOD.htm#Flood%20of%201993

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, July 22, 1993. “Kaskaskia is Inundated by Flood of `93.” Assessed 12-07-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=07/22&categoryId=disaster

Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management News. “`Happy’ Anniversary – 10 Years After the Midwest Flood of 1993.” Fall 2003, 10 pages. Accessed 3-23-2016 at: http://www.illinoisfloods.org/documents/newsletters/03_newsletter_fall.pdf

Independence Examiner, MO. “Officials: Worry about new rains” [From Page 1A], 7-22-1993, p. 12A. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=295473829&sterm

Johnson, G. P., R. R. Holmes Jr., and L. A. Waite. The Great Flood of 1993 on the Upper Mississippi River – 10 Years Later (U.S. Geological Survey Information Sheet). 1993, 4 p. Accessed 3-22-2016 at: http://mo.water.usgs.gov/Reports/1993-Flood/pubs.htm

Larson, Lee. “The Great USA Flood of 1993.” Paper presented at IAHS Conference Destructive Water: Water-Caused Natural Disasters – Their Abatement and Control, Anaheim, CA, June 24-28, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/floods/papers/oh_2/great.htm

Missouri Department of Health. “Focus…1993 Elderly Mortality Increase Not Related to Flood.” Missouri Monthly Vital Statistics, Vol. 28, No. 10, Dec 1994. Jefferson City, MO: State Center for Health Statistics. (3-29-2016 email attachment to Wayne Blanchard from Craig Ward, State Registrar, Section of Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

National Climatic Data Center. “Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters 1980-1994.” Table 4. NOAA, 8-4-1997. Accessed at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/techrpts/tr9403/tr9403.pdf

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993. Asheville, NC: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, NCDC, 296 pages. Accessed 3-21-2016 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-3B7F112D-F92D-4E65-8314-F781097BC33A.pdf

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and at: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/documents/reports/1999/status_and_trends/99t001_ch15lr.pdf

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Wilkins, Lee. “Living with the Flood: Human and Governmental Responses to Real and Symbolic Risk.” Chapter 10 (pages 218-244) in: The Great Flood of 1993: Causes, impacts, and Responses. Stanley A. Changnon, editor. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1996.

Zogg, Jeff (Senior Hydrologist, National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Des Moines, IA. The Top Five Iowa Floods. March 2014. Accessed 3-23-2016 at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/Image/dmx/hydro/HistoricalIowaFloods_Top5.pdf

[1] One normally sees the figures of 48, 50, or 52 flood deaths for the 1993 Midwest flooding (and we provide a representation of these figures and their sources below. Our fatality range is higher, reflecting the number of flood-related fatalities from the State breakouts below. Iowa shows 5-17. This reflects the fact that several sources at the time noted a total of five flood fatalities. However, a credible source – a National Weather Service member stationed in Des Moines, Iowa — writes that seventeen people died. We have, however, only been able to identify two flood-related deaths independently. Other reasons for variability amongst the reports of fatalities may, we suspect, involve more limited time frames and definitions of a flood death. Some sources, we suspect, are limited to July (when the largest percentage of deaths occurred) or to July through August (as did the CDC). Some figures, we suspect, are limited to direct deaths from drowning, and do not include electric shock deaths during repair and restoration, or stress-induced cardiac arrests, or trauma from vehicle incidents while being diverted away from flood waters.

[2] “The 500-year flood of 1993 was the worst natural disaster to ever hit the Midwest in modern times with total losses exceeding $18 billion. Nearly five dozen [60] people lost their lives. More than 75 towns were flooded…”

[3] Cites: (1) L. Wilkins. “Living with the flood: Human and governmental responses to real and symbolic risk.” Pages 218-244 in S. A. Changnon, editor. The Great Flood of 1993: Causes Consequences, and Impacts. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, Inc., 1996. (2) J. M. Wright. Effect of the flood on national policy: Some achievements, major challenges remain. Pages 245-275 in S. A. Changnon, editor. The Great Flood of 1993.

[4] “Fifty flood deaths occurred.” [Not clear to us that the two electrocution deaths are included.]

[5] Cites: Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force. Report to the Administration: Floodplain Management Task Force – Sharing the Challenge: Floodplain Management into the 21^st Century, 1994, 191 pages.

[6] “…47 people died as a direct result of the flood.”

[7] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 49.

[8] Sent email to Iowa Dept. of Public Health, 4-3-2016 in order to try to narrow range of fatalities and gain clarity.

[9] AP. “Rest from rain brief…” Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, 7-29-1993, 8. Victim named as Kenneth Tille.

[10] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Ely. Accident cause not proven.” 7-9-1993, p. 1B. Notes that Johnson County Medical Examiner listed the official cause of death of the victim, identified as Vernon W. Neiderhiser, as drowning. Also noted that this was the first reported Eastern Iowa “fatality of the summer flood of 1993.” Also noted that “On a normal summer day there would have been no water where Neiderhiser drowned…” in eight feet of water.

[11] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993. p. 130. A June 30 AP article writes: “Flooding was blamed for the death of an 11-year-old girl who drowned while wading near LeCenter, Minn.”

[12] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993. p. 130.

[13] Associated Press, Peruque, Mo. “Rains feed Mississippi flood.” Hays Daily News, KS, 7-6-1993, p. 7. Notes the boy “was the third child to drown in Minnesota rivers since the flooding began.” We date as approximately July 5 because the date of the drowning was not noted, only that the boy’s body was recovered on July 5.

[14] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 150.

[15] Writes: “…the flood’s death total remains uncertain. The state of Missouri, for example, suggest that 50 Missourians died as a result of the flood, 30 of them in flash floods that were ancillary to the flooding on the Mississippi and Missouri.” In that a MO Vital Statistics document notes 49, we assume 50 to be a rounding up.

[16] “…we found 49 deaths directly related to the flood, primarily from flash flooding, motor vehicle related deaths and drownings. Six of these 49 deaths were to persons aged 70 or over.” Document provided as attachment to 3-29-2016 email from Craig Ward, State Registrar, Section of Epidemiology for Public Health Practice, Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, in response to Blanchard email seeking information, in that the CDC had reported 27 fatalities and Wilkins 50. In his email Mr. Ward noted that more deaths were identified as flood related in the months following CDC report. He speculated that the Wilkins number may have just been a rounding up from 49.

[17] Writes: “Because of extensive flooding of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries, the Missouri Department of Health (MDH) initiated surveillance to monitor flood-related mortality….To identify flood-related deaths, CDC and MDH telephoned and obtained epidemiologic information from medical examiners and coroners (ME/Cs) in the 71 disaster-declared counties and in St. Louis…and contacted coroners of 24 counties adjacent to disaster-affected areas… A flood-related death was defined as a death resulting from an event that occurred after June 28 (when flash floods began to occur and the potential threat of riverine flooding was recognized by the State Emergency Management Agency) and would not have happened – given the information provided by ME/Cs – had the floods not occurred…From July 1 through August 31, ME/Cs from disaster-declared counties classified 27 deaths as flood-related. Decedents’ ages ranged from 9 to 88 years (mean: 37.8 years; 18 (67%) were male. No flood-related deaths were reported in adjacent counties….Flooding from heavy rains that occurred periodically from late September through early November contributed to 16 additional deaths: 14 were motor-vehicle related, and two occurred when rising waters from the Missouri River flooded homes. Four deaths were associated with the Missouri River and 12 with smaller rivers or creeks…”

[18] We note this figure not to imply there were 23 drowning deaths, but to note that as of Aug 3, this was the toll.

[19] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 158.

[20] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 168. Notes “heavy rains quickly flooded Cliff Cave at Cliff Cave Park trapping and killing six people. River flooding in the area had already closed the park to visitors. A group of boys from a boys home and their counselors were exploring the caves when water filled the entrance and poured in through sink holes. Four boys and two counselors were killed.” The boys were from the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys. A newspaper wrote they were killed “when a flash flood swept through the cave…” (The Examiner, Independence, MO. “State pursues inquiry into flood deaths.” 8-2-1993, 5A.) One of the two lost counselors was Jenny Metherd, 21, a volunteer with the church-operated home for troubled youth. (Assoc. Press, St. Louis, MO. “Family buries daughter lost in flooded cave.” Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL, 7-29-1993, p. 8.)

[21] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 161.

[22] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 162.

[23] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 163.

[24] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 163.

[25] AP, Kansas City, MO. “The worst may be over for Kansas City.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 7-12-1993, p. 10. Victim, identified as Mark Tracey, was apparently trying to work an electric sump pump.

[26] AP, Kansas City, MO. “The worst may be over for Kansas City.” Ottawa Herald, KS, 7-12-1993, p. 10.

[27] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 158. A newspaper article, in an apparent reference to this death, writes that “…Delbert J. Hicks, 86, of Waverly, in Lafayette County, was found dead Monday evening [July 19] outside his pickup truck in 3 to 4 feet of water near a bridge over the Missouri River at Waverly…The truck apparently stalled on a flooded access road, the sheriff said.” (Independence Examiner, MO. “Officials: Worry about new rains” [From Page 1A], 7-22-1993, p. 12A.)

[28] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 158.

[29] The Examiner (J. Major and C. Wood), Independence, MO. “Storm drops a load of rain in area.” 7-1-1993, 11A. An AP article the next day identified the fatalities as Eric Warren, 20 and Jill May, 15, both of Lawson. (Associated Press. “Two teens drown while crossing creek.” The Examiner, Independence, MO, 7-2-1993, p. 2A.)

[30] The Examiner, Independence, MO. “Drowning victim’s body found in river.” Aug 3, 1993, 10A. Writes that “The body of a Lexington man was recovered from the Missouri River on Monday, five days after he rode his bike over a bridge into floodwaters and drowned. John Friend, 35, became the state’s 23^rd flood death when he drowned July 29. His body was found about 1 mile downstream of the bridge that carries Missouri 13 over the river.”

[31] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993. p. 130. Notes the woman was swept off low water bridge “on County Road W between Prairie Home and California…Flash flooding, described as a wall of water, swept the van into the swollen creek. They found the woman about 5 miles away from the bridge.” This was not one of the 27 flood-related deaths noted by the CDC in that their time-frame for loss of life was July 1-Aug 31.

[32] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 160.

[33] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 6, June 1993, p. 160.

[34] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993, p. 174.

[35] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 8, August 1993, p. 99. Notes “When the attempt was unsuccessful, the occupants got out of their vehicle. One of the occupants lost her footing, fell into the creek [Beaver Creek], and drowned.”

[36] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 257.

[37] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 261.

[38] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 35, No. 7, July 1993. p. 292.

[39][1] Sharing the Challenge: Floodplain Management into the 21st Century, a report of the Interagency

Floodplain Management Review Committee to the Administration Floodplain Management Task Force,

Washington, DC, June 1994.

1993 — May-early Nov, July (esp.), Midwest Flooding, especially MS & MO Rivers –72-84