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

LISTING OF PAST NATURAL HAZARDS
OCCURRENCES AND DISASTERS

1978	Wildfires -- 479 fires burning 48,290 acres.
Jun 1978	Tornadoes (Aberdeen) -- On June 15th and 16th Aberdeen and Marshall County experienced tornadoes, hail, and some flooding. Five trailers were damaged by tornadoes. Marshall County had crop and building damage from hail and tornado winds.
Summer 1977	Tornado (Arlington) -- Minor damage.
1977	Wildfires -- 535 fires burning 6,952 acres. Winter Storms -- February, March, and November were especially active months for winter storms. Many rural roads were blocked with snow drifts 6 to 8 feet high. Interstate 90 was often blocked and stranded up to 100 cars. Six people died as a result of these storms. In addition to power outages reported in various part of the state, the March storm dropped over an inch of rain in the eastern part of the state and generated walnut size hail in Grant County. In November, a winter storm toppled a 1,400 foot TV tower and caused 6 freight cars to derail.
1976	Wildfires -- 582 fires burning 9,130 acres. Drought -- Eastern South Dakota; US President declared a "disaster."
Jun 1976	Flood (Black Hills) -- In a 24 hour period on June 13/14, 3 to 10 inches of rain fell in the northern Black Hills. And additional 2 to 3 inches of rain plus heavy snow was recorded over this area on the 15th and 16th. The run-off from these rains did considerable damage in the counties of Lawrence, Meade, Butte, and Harding. Physical structures, streets, roads, sewers, and water systems sustained about $1.5 million. Deadwood, Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Sturgis, and Galena received most of this damage. Throughout the region a number of bridges and culverts were washed out and many of the roads suffered water erosion. Debris damage was not as great as in 1972, however, there was considerable movement of rocks and gravel. There was also a problem with mud and land slides. Only one death resulted from this flood event.
1975	Wildfires -- 851 fires burning 30,671 acres
May 16, 1975	Earthquake -- Intensity IV --- Fall River County near Edgemont.
Jan 1975	Blizzard -- Of the two blizzards in 1975 the one occurring on January 11th & 12th was the worst. High winds exceeding 60 mph, sub-zero temperatures, and heavy snow combined to produce killer conditions. Several people died and thousands of head of livestock perished in eastern South Dakota.
1974	Wildfires -- 1,022 fires burning 38,864 acres.
1973	Wildfires -- 704 fires burning 36,252 acres.
Jul 23, 1973	Tornado (Ft. Pierre/Pierre) -- The tornado began in Ft. Pierre where it did minor damage; one grain elevator and a few mobile homes were affected. It jumped the Missouri River and then "skipped" through Pierre. Houses and businesses were damaged and a few homes were completely destroyed. Many mobile homes were either scattered about or piled up on one another. No deaths and 10 people were injured. Damages amounted to over ½ million dollars.
1973-1977	Drought -- Statewide, except Black Hills. Rated as a 10 to 25 year event. Most severe in 1976.
1972	Wildfires -- 452 fires burning 13,638 acres.
Jun 1972	Flood (Rapid City) -- On June 9th thunderstorm activity began about 6:00pm. The ensuing rains localized over an area 45 miles long by about 16 miles wide from Custer to Deadwood. As much as 14 inches of rain were dumped in some localities (8-10 inches average). Evacuation of residents along Rapid Creek was ordered by 10:15pm. Flood and debris laden water flowed into Canyon Lake and clogged the dam's chute spillway. This caused a 300 foot breach in the dam and sent a wall of water and debris pouring down on residents below the dam. The toll of the flood produced carnage was staggering. At least 238 people died (including 5 listed as missing and presumed dead). Thousands of people barely escaped death and hundreds of people were forced to climb, stand, or cling to objects which saved them from being swept away. Property damage exceeded $79 million. 436 houses were destroyed and 930 houses damaged. 710 mobile homes were either damaged or destroyed. 36 businesses were wiped out and 236 more sustained damage. About 5,000 cars were reported lost to flood activity. As a result of this flood, Rapid City engaged in the second recorded hazard mitigation effort in South Dakota by refusing to allow rebuilding in the floodway. This program effectively launched Federal government efforts to create a Hazard Mitigation Program. Flood (Keystone) -- Keystone was nearly destroyed. Motels, shops, bars, and restaurants, which cater to tourists were either damaged or destroyed. Many campgrounds located along the creeks were washed away. At least 10 campers died. Total damage was set at $1.4 million. Flood (Black Hawk & Box Elder) -- These cities received $2 million in damages as the flood destroyed or damaged 75 homes and 180 mobile homes along Box Elder Creek. Flood (Sturgis) -- Sustained over ½ million dollars in damages: 275 houses and 25 businesses were affected. The Black Hills region sustained millions of dollars damage to roads, streets, and bridges. Very few bridges were left standing.
Oct 19, 1971	Earthquake -- Intensity IV --- Jackson County half way between Kadoka and Norris: 3:15pm Glass rattled.
1971	Wildfires -- 815 fires burning 20,890 acres.
1970	Wildfires -- 477 fires burning 6196 acres.
1969	Wildfires -- 211 fires burning 3254 acres.
Spring 1969	Flood (Big Sioux River) -- This flood is recorded as surpassing the flood of 1881 in magnitude with water discharge rates more than twice those of 1962. This flood resulted from a large buildup of snow. Snow fell in December (1968) in normal amounts, but the accumulations for January and February set a record. The temperatures during March were below the seasonal average so little run-off occurred. The entire basin was ice free by April 6th. The upper part of the basin received an inch of rain on April 7th and compounded the flood. One-eighth of Watertown was under water. Dempster, Estelline, and Castlewood had flood damage as did the lower portion of Dell Rapids. Fifty families were evacuated from Moody County and fifty people had to be removed from Renner. Sioux Falls was more fortunate as they had developed a flood control system. The system was cited for preventing more than $12 million in flood damages. Flood (Vermillion River) -- This flood is listed as being greater than the 1962 flood. The town of Centerville was surrounded by water. Within the town, the sewers backed up and the disposal plant was flooded. In the surrounding country, the damage was about the same as in the past. Three bridges were washed out and numerous roads damaged. 450 feet of one highway was completely washed away. The dike system did not contain the water and the lowlands flooded. The US Geological Survey placed the damage to the basin at $1 million. Flood (James River) -- The river was in flood during all of April. The creeks in the lower portion of the basin started flooding early in the month. Their discharge of water started ice breaking up on the main stem of the James. The massive flow of the smaller tributaries caused a backing of water up the James and increased the problem of flooding. Huron recorded a flood crest of 16.7 feet. This is almost one foot higher than registered during the previous 30 years. In that area damage was estimated at $750,000. In the northern part of the state, Moccasin Creek flooded from water coming out of Richmond Lake. This caused some flooding in Aberdeen, as well as extensive flooding in the surrounding countryside. Total damage to the basin was over $16 million. Most of the damage was incurred by farm land, bridges, and roads.

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