L. Perry Cookingham Collection

Piles of lumber and fires in the aftermath of the 1951 flood.

Plume of smoke and fire.

Police directing traffic on expressway in Kansas Cities West Bottoms. Low flying airplane over the road.

Police officer standing on street while workers clear it of flood damage, 1951 flood.

Police officer standing on street while workers clear it of flood damage, 1951 flood.

Stockyards in the aftermath of the 1951 flood.

Street view of flood damage from the 1951 flood.

Toppled train cars and other damage in the aftermath of the 1951 floods

View of the train yards partially submerged in flood water.

View of the West Bottoms as the flood water subsides.

View of the West Bottoms covered in flood water looking west.

Workers assessing the damage to train cars.