Pierre, SD Flood, Apr 1952

Missouri River Invades Pierre.

The levee-busting Missouri River raced four feet deep through the main street of South Dakota's capital city of Pierre Thursday and posed an ominous threat to cities downstream.

Floods along the Missouri and other Midwest rivers made thousands homeless and caused millions of dollars in property damage.

The muddy Missouri, on its most destructive spree in seventy-one years, hit Pierre a crippling blow, engulfed the entire town of Fort Pierre, a community of 700 across the river, and smashed through levees as far as 200 miles downstream.

Downstream communities braced for serious flooding, with the crests due next week. Several mayors have declared a state of emergency and National Guardsmen have been alerted.

Flood waters spilled across 100 blocks of Pierre, driving 1,600 of the city's 5,700 population from their homes.

The section of business district on low ground suffered heavy damage. The Daily Capital-Journal suspended publication. The Pierre Associated Press bureau, housed in the building, moved to higher ground in the telephone exchange.

The last of the city's four municipal water pumping stations was knocked out and sand bag crews waged a touch and go battle to save the city power plant.

Pierre has a 1,300,000 gallon reservoir days if used sparingly.

Dikes gave way downstream at South Sioux Sity[sic], Neb., putting the city of 5,577 at the mercy of the river. The river is expected to climb five feet higher by Monday or Tuesday.

The flood could affect 3,500 persons and 144 blocks.

The levee breaks permitted flood water to spread into an area of more than 1,000 acres, part city and part rural land.

Dallas Morning News, Dallas, TX 11 Apr 1952
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!