STATS: The Great Flood of 1993

The Great Flood of 1993 was a truly devastating natural disaster. Here are some key statistics that highlight its magnitude:  

• Affected Area:

  • The flood impacted nine states across the Midwestern United States: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois.  

  • The affected area spanned approximately 400,000 square miles.

• Rainfall:

  • Many areas received rainfall totals 200-350% above normal.  

  • Some locations in east-central Iowa saw up to 38.4 inches of rain.

  • Persistent rainfall, with many areas experiencing rain on 20 or more days in July.

• River Levels and Levees:

  • Hundreds of levees failed along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.  

  • Record river levels were broken at numerous locations.  

  • In St. Louis, the Mississippi River crested at a record 49.3 feet.

• Damages and Casualties:

  • Approximately 50 deaths occurred.  

  • Damages approached $15 billion.  

  • Tens of thousands of people were evacuated, and thousands of homes were destroyed.  

  • Significant impact on agriculture, with millions of acres of farmland inundated.  

  • Transportation was severely disrupted, with closures of roads, bridges, and river navigation.