Flood in Turner County, South Dakota

Rainfall amounts across Turner County from June 20-22 ranged from 5 to 10 inches. Widespread overland flooding ensued with additional major to record flooding along Turkey Ridge Creek, East Fork Vermillion River, West Fork Vermillion River, and the Vermillion River.

Several homes and businesses experienced minor to major flood damage with at least two residences destroyed. In addition, rural customers between Chancellor and South Dakota Highway 19 were without water for a day to almost a week at some locations.

Emergency services conducted at least 4 water rescues and there were two flood related injuries across the county. At peak flooding, U.S. Highway 18 along with South Dakota Highways 44, 46, and 19a were closed. Numerous other county roads, culverts, and bridges were closed or damaged. Preliminary damage assessments estimate loss to public infrastructure across the county to be over 5 million dollars.

The majority of overland flooding subsided by June 25, but river flooding continued through the end of the month. For additional information on river flooding, please see other flood entries for Turner County.

A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches with pockets in excess of 15 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding also resulted in significant impacts and damages. All river crest information is preliminary until made official by the gauge owner.

A Presidential Disaster Declaration was signed for Aurora, Bon Homme, Brule, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, Union, and Yankton Counties.