South Dakota OEM - Listing of Past Natural Hazards Occurences and Disasters

LISTING OF PAST NATURAL HAZARDS
OCCURRENCES AND DISASTERS

1984	Wildfires -- 651 fires burning 28,230 acres.
Spring 1984	Flood (Big Sioux, James, and Vermillion rivers) -- (FEMA-717-DR-SD) Heavy precipitation returned to the region as the winter of 1983-84 was the 3rd snowiest on record (75 inches of snow at Sioux Falls). The heaviest snows occurred in November 1983 and in March 1984. Severe snowmelt flooding began March 20th and after the 4th wettest April on record, caused near record flooding on the Big Sioux, Vermillion, and lower James rivers in April. Numerous reports of water damage were recorded in the communities of Mt. Vernon, Parkston, Tabor, and Violin. These rivers did not go below flood stage until the end of April. June was the wettest June on record in SE South Dakota and was the 6th wettest month on record at Sioux Falls. From June 4th - 22nd many large storms crossed the region dumping approximately 30 inches of rain causing repeated flash floods. Numerous roads and bridges were heavily damaged. Many areas had severe urban flooding with sewers and storm drains unable to handle the load, causing many basement walls to collapse. The Lake Menno Dam (Hutchinson County) collapsed on June 12th killing 450 hogs, destroying one car and damaging two, moving a farmhouse 75 feet off its foundation, scattering or destroying farm machinery, and completely sweeping away grain bins. On June 16th, 3 feet of water was flowing through downtown Davis (Turner County). Vermillion Lake Dam (McCook County) and many smaller dams sustained severe erosion. The Fulton Lake Dam (Hanson County) was severely weakened and in imminent danger of failing, but held. On the 18th a train was derailed at Parker (Turner County) due to washed out tracks. On the 20th Lake Dimock Dam (Hutchinson County) gave way, destroying the dam and causing flooding in Milltown. A 400 yard sandbag dike saved the Lake Carthage Dam (Miner County) from destruction. Widespread flash flooding caused severe erosion, washed out or weakened many roads, bridges, and culverts in addition to washing away crops in low lying areas. Many small stock dams were collapsing, washing out roads, bridges, and culverts beneath them. In Mt. Vernon (Davison County), there were 3 to 4 feet of water in homes. Twenty homes were evacuated along Dry Run Creek in Mitchell (Davison County). Sewage was 5 or 6 feet deep in parts of Mitchell. Estimates by the US Geological Survey place the flooding on the Big Sioux River drainage at about a 10 to 30 year recurrence interval, the Vermillion River at about a 100 - 500 year recurrence interval, and the lower James River at about a 100 - 300 year recurrence interval. By June 22nd, over 1 million acres of cropland were under water in the region. Total damages estimated to be: $289 million.
May 12, 1984	Tornadoes (Clark & Codington counties) -- 18 to 20 farmsteads and homes were directly affected and ten homes severely damaged.
Nov/Dec 1983	Winter Storms -- Weeks of sub-zero temperatures preceded the actual blizzard and set the stage for the deadly combination of cold, blizzard conditions, and loss of electrical power. A series of winter storms struck South Dakota in late November and throughout December. The impact was felt statewide but it was particularly heavy upon the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations. Cheyenne River, Lower Brule, and Crow Creek reservations were also affected but to a lesser degree. Many of the Rosebud and Pine Ridge communities contained propane fueled/heated homes. At the height of the storms, reservation roads were drifted closed and became impassible. A fuel shortage occurred when the weeks of sub-zero temperatures drained propane tanks faster than normal. Tribal governments opened community shelters for living and feeding for those who could make it to the shelters. As conditions worsened, fuel contractors could not start their delivery vehicles and more roads were increasingly impassible. County and tribal government snowplows were overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. At the request of tribal leaders, the governor directed state agencies to respond. On December 26th state, federal, and private response action began with the Division of Emergency Management coordinating the effort. The governor's office obtained propane delivery trucks from Iowa. The state cement plant delivered one semi-truck load of coal to both Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations. SD DOT provided drivers for the borrowed propane trucks. Each truck contained a tribal representative to guide the driver. SD DOT also provided heavy equipment and operators to open the roads for the fuel trucks. One private sawmill donated lumber for wood burning stoves. Many volunteer organizations donated either fuel or funds to purchase fuel to both Rosebud and Pine Ridge. Tripp County Highway and Emergency Management also sent equipment to assist. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal governments also used their resources to assist throughout the emergency. One death was recorded as caused by this situation.
1983	Wildfires -- 950 fires burning 18,613 acres.
Mar 4, 1983	Earthquake -- Intensity VI --- On Hyde - Buffalo County border S of Mac's Corner.
Spring 1983	Flood -- The winter of 1982-83 was the 4th snowiest on record and led into some severe snowmelt flooding on the lower Big Sioux and Vermillion rivers from late February to mid March (March '83 was the 5th wettest on record). Heavy rains through April and into early May prolonged flooding and high stages on these rivers through mid May. Very heavy rains again in mid and late June caused flash flooding in the area and again caused severe flooding on the lower Big Sioux and near record flooding on the lower Vermillion River. The flash flooding in June caused widespread erosion and crop damage and there was severe agricultural land flooding on the mainstems of the lower Big Sioux and Vermillion rivers.
Nov 15, 1982	Earthquake -- Intensity V --- Bon Homme County near Avon.
1982	Wildfires -- 403 fires burning 6,886 acres.
Jul 11, 1982	Earthquake -- Intensity V --- Moody County near Egan.
Oct 9, 1981	Blizzard (Black Hills) -- The entire area was virtually paralyzed by 3 to 6 feet of heavy snow and 40 to 70 mph winds. Roads were totally blocked, trees and power lines broken and some homes sustained heavy damage. Not only were the northern hills residents isolated, but some were also without water and power for at least 3 days causing food spoilage.
1981	Wildfires -- 1,556 fires burning 24,537 acres.
Sep 13, 1981	Earthquake -- Intensity V --- Bennett County SE of Batesland on the Nebraska border.
Mar 29, 1981	Winter Storm -- The storm front created a tornado near Martin, which destroyed a mobile home and injured one occupant. By 3:00 am on the 30th, the storm was generating 50 to 80 mph winds and dumping up to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow in the northwest. Power lines and at least 1,500 poles in the northwest were snapped after being coated with 1 to 6 inches of ice. Strong winds also snapped power lines and poles in south-central South Dakota. These winds overturned trucks and cars along Interstate 29. The winds also overturned a railroad tank car, spilling phosphoric acid. This accident forced the evacuation of part of Garretson.
Jan 1981	Winter Storm -- A series of storms blocked the majority of roads in eastern South Dakota, overturned vehicles, and stranded hundreds of motorists. The severity of these storms caused 4 people to die after their vehicles stalled in the deep snow.
1980	Wildfires -- 1,349 fires burning 42,077 acres.
1980-1982	Drought -- Statewide. Rated as a 10 to 25 year event. Most severe during 1981.
1979	Wildfires -- 485 fires burning 14,214 acres.
Jun 19, 1979	Tornado (Watertown) -- Damage to: trees, roofs, and power lines. Tornadoes -- Bon Homme, Turner, Yankton, Hanson, Sanborn counties reported tornado damage. Tornado (Letcher) -- Caused minor injuries with numerous report of tree and building damages. Tornado (Springfield) -- Tree damage.
Spring 1979	Minor Flood (Big Sioux River) -- North Sioux City caused by an ice jam. Minor Flood (Lake Kampeska) -- Affected property on the lake shore.

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