Eastern Idaho marks 50 years since Teton Dam Collapse – Local News 8 special airs Friday
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — 50 years ago this week, life in eastern Idaho changed in an instant. The newly constructed Teton Dam collapsed on June 5th, 1976, unleashing 80 billion gallons of water, killing 11, forcing thousands from their homes, and testing the resolve of our communities.
The collapse of the Teton Dam is a sight and sound still etched into the collective memory of Eastern Idaho.
Marilyn Short, whose husband was working at the dam, recalled her initial disbelief. "He said you need to evacuate, the dam is breaking," Short said. "Yeah, what do you think? I mean, this is a huge, huge dam. Dams just don't break."
Following the disaster, thousands of residents were displaced and left in a sea of mud. An army of volunteers later flooded the valley to assist in the rebuilding efforts.
Kurt Hibbert, a flood survivor, reflected on the experience, stating that one of the great lessons of the Teton Dam disaster was that the most important things in life are friends and family.
"That's all that mattered at that point was making sure they were okay," Hibbert said. "Things didn't matter anymore; it just mattered. Are you is your family safe? Are your friends safe now?"
The city of Rexburg and other communities across southeast Idaho are hosting the week-long commemoration, named Flood 50. The event focuses on remembering, connecting, and serving, aiming to honor the legacy of those who rebuilt the region. Local News eight will provide coverage of the events throughout this week. For more information, click HERE.
Local News eight will also present a special presentation titled "Teton Dam: The Failure and Future" this Friday, hosted by reporter Linda Larsen and anchor Doug Long. Tune in this Friday at 9:30 p.m. for Local News 8 on Fox and 10 p.m. on CBS.
Editor’s Note: This story was adapted from an original on-air broadcast report with the assistance of AI. All content is thoroughly reviewed and verified for accuracy by the Local News 8 editorial team.
