South Dakota Legends and Lore: Rapid City Flood of '72

The recent deadly flooding in communities in Texas, New Mexico, West Virginia and New Jersey served as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable power of nature. 

These events undoubtedly stirred some memories of the deadly Black Hills Flood in June 1972.

In this podcast we have a newly-recorded recollection by James and Sarah Solano, and an archived recollection by the late Bill Boylan used in a podcast for the first time. 

James and his friends sought shelter when their car was swept away by the rising waters near the School of Mines. Bill caught a ride with a National Guard truck and helped search for bodies in the aftermath of the flood.

Solano interview by Adrian Ludens, July 2024. Boylan interview by Bea Hartwig-Stucke, July 2009. Editing and mixing by Adrian Ludens

Archival news report courtesy of KOTA. Newscaster: Robb DeWall

Music and effects: Roie Shpigler, Shirly Spikes, and Boom Library. Used by permission.