Heavy rainfall causes flooding in parts of South Dakota
Katie Nelson, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
July 19, 2018
Flooding near the Hwy 14 bypass and Medary Avenue Brookings County Sheriff's Office
(Photo: Brookings County Sheriff's Office)
Heavy rain on Wednesday night led to flooding in several parts of eastern South Dakota, including more than eight inches of rain in Aurora and road closures in Brookings.
The National Weather Service said that as of 8 a.m. Thursday, the highest 24-hour rainfall total was 8.87 inches in Aurora. The city of Brookings received 6.63 inches, while the Sioux Falls airport only received 0.61 inches.
A flash flood warning remains in effect for Brookings County until 9:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Brookings County emergency manager Robert Hill said Highway 14 was closed near Brookings for at least two hours due to flooding. County roads 27, 34 and 35 were barricaded, and no travel was advised on 34th Avenue in Brookings due to unsafe driving conditions.
"The city of Brookings got hit pretty doggone hard last night," Hill said. No one had to be evacuated, but he had heard reports of several flooded basements and a car that became stuck in a cornfield after the driver tried to cross high water.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are still possible Thursday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said, with locally heavy rainfall the main concern. However, the bad weather is expected to clear up by Friday.