Flash Flood — Codington, South Dakota

2025-08-21 to 2025-08-22 · near Appleby, Codington, South Dakota

Event narrative

Heavy rainfall on saturated soils resulted in flooding in and around Watertown, with street flooding reported across the city. Northeast of Watertown, a vehicle left the Interstate after encountering some 10 inches of water on the roadway that flooded both lanes near mile marker 182. When emergency crews arrived, the car was barely visible, with only the rear bumper above water. The occupant of the car swam to safety, was checked out on the scene by paramedics, but did not require any further medical attention.

Due to flooding, Interstate 29 was shut down between Exit 181 and Exit 185.

Wider weather episode

Storms moving south across northeast South Dakota produced hail and heavy rain, leading to flash flooding around the Watertown area.

The resultant runoff would also later result in flooding of the Big Sioux and surrounding tributaries around the Watertown and Castlewood areas.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (44.8800, -97.0300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1293503. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.