Flash Flood — Lake, South Dakota

2012-05-05 to 2012-05-06 · near Orland, Lake, South Dakota

Event narrative

Heavy rainfall of up to 6 inches caused flash flooding of numerous roads, parks, fields, other low areas, and buildings including homes. At least 90 homes were heavily damaged in Madison by the flooding, including at least two with basement walls washed out. A basement wall of a dentists business was also washed out and the basement flooded with 9 feet of water. Numerous personal possessions in flooded homes and businesses were destroyed. The flash flooding included Memorial Creek, and there was a fatality when an out of state visitor drowned when attempting to cross the flooded creek. While this fatality and most of the damage was in Madison, many rural roads and fields were flooded in the area, and east to near the town of Wentworth.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding in southeast South Dakota, near and north of Interstate 90, during the evening of May 5th. The flash flooding continued past midnight on May 6th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.9100, -97.2100)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 383296. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.