SIOUX FALLS (AP) – Flooding from torrential rain that's soaked much of southeastern South Dakota has closed schools for a second day, submerged city streets and caused some to evacuate their homes.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
SIOUX FALLS (AP) – Flooding from torrential rain that's soaked much of southeastern South Dakota has closed schools for a second day, submerged city streets and caused some to evacuate their homes.
The cities of Mitchell, Dell Rapids and Madison have been hit especially hard. At least 20 school districts in the region, as well as Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell and Dakota State University in Madison, were closed Friday because of flooding.
In Brandon, northeast of Sioux Falls, the heavy rain has turned the local golf course into a lake. Portions of the 18-hole course and an office at the clubhouse have flooded. Davison County Emergency Manager Jeff Bathkeflood says several bridges have been washed away in Mitchell.
In Madison, approximately 30 people had to be rescued by boats and pay loaders Thursday.
Editor's note: Story below from 10:20 p.m. Thursday
SIOUX FALLS (AP) – Heavy rain soaking much of southeastern South Dakota pushed the Big Sioux River to record levels on Thursday, flooded roads, closed schools and blocked travelers.
More than 7 inches of rain fell over two days near Madison, South Dakota. Up to 30 homes were evacuated Thursday morning, with many of those residents jumping into the bucket of a front-end loader to reach safety, Madison Police Sgt. Aaron Talich said.
A creek that flows through the center of Madison is back in its banks, Talich said Thursday afternoon. But residents near a creek that flows through the south side of Madison have been notified about that creek rising, he said.
Dakota State University was closed Thursday because of the flooding in Madison, which is northwest of Sioux Falls, and a no-travel advisory was issued in Lake County. Students on campus were urged to conserve water by not showering or doing laundry due to an overload at the city treatment plant.
The Big Sioux River above Dell Rapids surpassed March's record-breaking flooding of 1,489.5 feet, the Argus Leader reported. The river was last recorded at 6 p.m. on Thursday at 1,489.09 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Flood stage is 1,481 feet.
Floodwaters closed Interstate 90 from Plankinton to Sioux Falls, the South Dakota Department of Transportation said late Thursday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service, up to 11 inches of rain fell over two days in parts of South Dakota.
Meanwhile, Xcel Energy said the number of customers still without power after three tornadoes struck Sioux Falls this week was down to about 1,200.
Below 1: Trevor Holbrook sits at the top of the stairs and stares down into the fully flooded basement of his family's home Thursday, Sept. 12, in Madison. Holbrook used the entire basement as his own living space. (Erin Bormett/The Argus Leader via AP)
Below 2: Karizma Schooler, Tiana Deleon and Izabella Lawson walk through knee-high water on their way to visit Lawson's grandmother after extreme flooding Thursday, Sept. 12, in Madison. (Erin Bormett/The Argus Leader via AP)
Below 3: The intersection of Lincoln Ave. and NE 2nd Street is completely filled with flood water after severe storms Thursday, Sept. 12, in Madison. (Erin Bormett/The Argus Leader via AP)
