Argentine Flooding: A Community Tested, A Community United

Overnight and into the early morning hours, the Argentine community and Kansas City as a whole were hit hard by torrential rainfall that overwhelmed our infrastructure and devastated our neighborhoods. As a low-lying area within a floodplain, lower Argentine bore the brunt of this extreme weather event, with hundreds of residents experiencing serious flooding in their homes and vehicles.

In some pockets of the neighborhood, water rose more than four to five feet—completely submerging cars, many of which are now considered totaled by insurance companies. Several families we spoke with shared heartbreaking stories of damage to nearly everything they own. Even more concerning, many homes had raw sewage back up into their basements and living spaces—posing an immediate health and safety risk.

Despite the destruction, today was a clear reminder of the strength and spirit that define Argentine. From sunrise into the evening, neighbors worked side by side, helping one another clear debris, clean flooded homes, and support those most in need. This is what true community looks like—residents rolling up their sleeves and making sure no one faces disaster alone.

Throughout the day, ABC staff were on the ground talking with residents and assessing needs. We were joined by Commissioner Tom Burroughs and Christian Ramirez, who took time to walk the blocks and listen directly to impacted residents. Later in the day, candidates Rose Mulvaney Henry, Kallie McLaughlin, and Andrew Kump (and possibly others tomorrow) joined myself and Katie Rico to better understand the long-standing flood-related issues that continue to plague Argentine.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Unified Government’s Public Works Department for acting quickly to manage water flow and minimize further damage. We’re also incredibly grateful to BPU linemen for their hard work restoring power in impacted areas under difficult conditions.

This flood was devastating—but it also showcased the resilience, unity, and determination of Argentine. As we clean up and begin to recover, ABC remains committed to supporting our neighbors and continuing to advocate for long-term infrastructure solutions that protect our community from future flooding.