Mitchell Flash Flood
On July 13, 1956, intense thunderstorms and heavy rain occurred near Mitchell between 5 and 6 p.m., with the greatest intensities near Bridge Creek. The creek rose from its usual depth of about 1 foot to a rapidly moving torrent; over 20 buildings were destroyed (including houses, businesses, a garage, and a post office). A highway was blocked by washouts and mud and rock slides. People who had accidentally left two open containers out during the 50-minute storm calculated that the rainfall was 3.5 inches in Mitchell and 4 inches in Girds Creek. This was more than 25% of the area’s annual average rainfall!