Floods in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas, September 12-13, 1977

The storm of September 12-13, 1977, produced as much as 16 inches of rainfall in the Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas area, left 25 persons dead, many homeless, and caused over 50 million dollars in damages.

Data from National Weather Service recording rain gages indicate the storm came in two bursts within 24 hours. Flood hydrographs developed from streamflow records in the area also reflect the two events, with the second yielding the greater runoff.

Peak discharges were determined during and after flood at gaging stations and selected miscellaneous locations. Peak discharges in areas of great rainfall depths were well over the criteria for the 100-year flood.