Hail — Minnehaha, South Dakota

1993-05-22 · Minnehaha, South Dakota

Event narrative

Nearly stationary thunderstorms dumped five to seven one-half inches of rain and hail within three hours on the southwest side of Sioux Falls causing major urban flooding and a flash flood on an area creek. At least 200 basements were flooded by water and sewage as the storm and sewer systems backed up. Water came up to the rooftops of many cars in the Empire Mall area. Power was knocked out at the Empire Mall and to 2600 other customers in southwest Sioux Falls. Rainwater came through the roof of the Empire Mall causing damage to some stores. Hail up to an inch in diameter fell continuously for up to one and one-half hours in parts of southwest Sioux Falls causing considerable damage to hundreds of roofs, trees, and gardens. Thousands of cars received damage from hail or water in Sioux Falls. In the Silver Glen area a flash flood turned a normally three foot wide creek to a hundred feet wide in places. At least five houses near this creek had severe damage caused by the rushing waters. The flash flood also tore out a section of road adjacent to the creek, buckled sidewalks, tore away 100 year old trees, and floated a 5500 lb. truck down the road.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 10346501. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.