Upcoming event to learn about historic 1951 Topeka flood

TOPEKA (KSNT) – An event to learn about one of the deadliest natural events in Kansas history will take place at the Great Overland Station later this month.

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation will be holding an event to learn about the Northeast Kansas Flood of 1951, a day some call ‘Black Friday’. The flood killed 24 people and caused thousands of people to abandon their homes, schools and businesses. The damage costs were $760 million in 1951 dollars. The cost in 2024 dollars would’ve been over $5 billion.

According to the press release from Parks and Rec., the Great Overland Station was flooded with eight feet of water and North Topeka was changed forever.

Last year 27 News spoke to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to see if Topeka could experience another flood at 1951 levels. The city’s flood risk was addressed by constructing levees, floodwalls and channels.

You can read more on the 1951 flood and whether Topeka could have a 1951 flood repeat by clicking here. To Learn more about the upcoming event, click here.

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