50 Years Since Don Barnett Faced One of His Greatest Challenges
June 9, 2022, will mark the 50th anniversary of the disastrous flood that struck Rapid City and the surrounding area. The Flood of 1972 is still to this day the deadliest flood in South Dakota and one of the deadliest in the nation.
Don Barnett in 1972–image courtesy of South Dakota Public Broadcasting
The community came together and was transformed through tragedy and leading the recovery efforts was 2011 Inductee Don Barnett. At the time Barnett was serving his second year as Mayor of Rapid City and at age 29 he was the youngest mayor in the city’s history.
When being inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for his leadership in guiding Rapid City through such a disaster, Barnett argued that he didn’t accomplish the task on his own. The Rapid City Common Council, municipal employees, and the people of Rapid City were full partners in responding to the flood’s aftermath and during years of recovery.
Upon being elected as Mayor, a long-promised civic center was at the top of his agenda. He believed the facility was needed as an economic stimulus and that it could dramatically improve the city’s quality of life both through job creation and as a regional entertainment venue. As he campaigned in every corner of the city, his ebullient optimism and abundant energy created a real race. By election night, he had squeaked out a few-hundred vote victory.
Two months later came the flood.
It is not possible to know precisely how the can-do spirit that evolved from the decision to build a civic center affected Rapid City’s flood recovery. But what is known is that the bonds of trust and cooperation were strong. The “civil defense” aspects of the crisis were entrusted to the Pennington County Commission. Barnett and senior city managers tended to the restoration of key municipal services, including the city’s inundated sewage, water treatment, and potable water delivery systems. He also demonstrated an ability to raise his sights. Granted seventeen precious minutes on NBC’s “Today Show,” he discussed the disaster for only six minutes. For the balance of the time, Barnett explained how South Dakota absolutely needed tourists to visit Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, and places not touched by the floodwaters to bring about a full recovery.
Barnett vowed that no citizen would ever live in the dangers of the flood plain again and this resulted in a relocation plan, and Rapid City establishing one of the largest greenways in the U.S. To this day the flood plain remains undeveloped, but a centerpiece of beauty in the city, full of parks and community gathering spaces.
Don Barnett’s story is one of truly championing excellence and is a snapshot of just how dedicated South Dakotans are to each other, their communities, and the state. Learn more about his legacy by visiting his legacy page here.