Tulsa's 1984 deadly floods remembered

This Memorial Day weekend some Tulsans took time out to mark the 20th anniversary of devastating floods. <br/><br/>At least 15 inches of rain fell on May 27th, 1984. The flash flooding killed 14 people

Monday, May 31st 2004, 5:14 am

By: News On 6

This Memorial Day weekend some Tulsans took time out to mark the 20th anniversary of devastating floods.

At least 15 inches of rain fell on May 27th, 1984. The flash flooding killed 14 people and destroyed 7,000 buildings.

A crowd gathered at Flanagan's Way on Sunday to remember those who were lost. And they also celebrated the progress that's been made. Ann Patton made major contributions to storm water management over the past 2 decades. She spearheaded a controversial multi-million dollar buyout of homes. That led to retention ponds between 94th East Avenue and Mingo Creek.

Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune: "We're naming that area, that expansive earth after Ann Patton that will become known as the Ann Patton Commons."

Patton was honored for her work with a lifetime achievement award in flood plain management.