Flash Flood — Burleigh, North Dakota

2024-08-13 · near Bismarck, Burleigh, North Dakota

Event narrative

Torrential downpours with between two and five inches of rain moved through the Bismarck area as a very slow moving thunderstorm passed over. Storm sewer and drainage systems in the city were overwhelmed by the intense rain rates. Many downtown businesses took on water, resulting in damaged inventory along with business losses due to inaccessibility and time taken to recover. One of the primary medical centers in the downtown area had water pouring in from two side streets that damaged an MRI machine. The city of Bismarck government services also suffered significant damage. Many homes and apartment complexes sustained water damage, particularly in basements.

Wider weather episode

Torrential downpours with between two and five inches of rain moved through the Bismarck area as a very slow moving thunderstorm passed over. Storm sewer and drainage systems in the city were overwhelmed by the intense rain rates. Many downtown businesses took on water, resulting in damaged inventory along with business losses due to inaccessibility and time taken to recover. One of the primary medical centers in the downtown area had up to two inches of flooding on the main floor, which caused damage to the lower level, particularly to an MRI machine. This facility alone suffered damages in excess of 5 million dollars, primarily due to the damage caused to the MRI machine. The City of Bismarck government services suffered approximately a quarter-million dollars in damage, which included damage to property, infrastructure, and equipment. Many homes also sustained water damage, particularly in basements. One homeowner near the Elks swimming pool, which is just west of downtown, reported up to five feet of water in his basement. An apartment complex in central Bismarck had three feet of water in the lower level, with occupants having to evacuate for multiple days. Interestingly, just south of Bismarck, in Falconer Estates, there was a trace of rain.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (46.9076, -100.8821)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1211569. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.