Students from Dakota Wesleyan University help sandbag around a home, in Mitchell, South Dakota, facing rising waters. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

MITCHELL, S.D. —A tornado struck Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 10, 2019, causing significant damage to around 37 buildings and power losses to thousands of households and businesses, officials said.

The twister struck around 11:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, reaching winds of 100 miles per hour.

No fatalities or serious injuries were reported.

On the heels of three tornadoes that hit Sioux Falls, torrential rain has caused massive flooding in many parts of South Dakota.

Flooding in Madison South Dakota, Sept. 12, 2019. Photo by Pastor Randy Hedge.

The cities and surrounding areas of Mitchell, Madison, and Montrose were hit particularly hard by flooding. In Madison, approximately 30 people had to be rescued via boats and payloaders.

Pastor Randy Hedge, who serves the United Methodist congregation in Madison, South Dakota reports that flooding has been relentless. The first night of flooding, families, and individuals living in homes were evacuated in the middle of the night. 

“One man I spoke with at the emergency shelter said he was trapped in his home and had two-three feet of water on his main floor besides a filled basement,” says Hedge.  “He sat on the top of his couch all night waiting for rescue. He was exhausted, and relieved to be safe and dry.”

The waterline came very close to the Madison UMC in Madison, SD. Photo by Pastor Randy Hedge.

Near Madison, Lake Herman has water over the spillway and that caused flooding on the south side of town. The nursing home evacuated to the community center gymnasium.  The local furniture store provided trucks for the move. Pastor Randy and his wife, Holly, went to the community center and witnessed multiple crews quickly hauling beds from nursing home rooms into the gym area. 

“Some residents had already arrived and were waiting in the hallway, and more were pulling up in front in the community transit buses. People everywhere were helping. Holly and I stopped in and visited with the elderly residents, who no longer were at Bethel Nursing Home, but were safe,” describes Hedge. “We prayed with them and visited—assuring them that this was temporary and that it was good to be safe.  It was an opportunity to witness, and an opportunity to comfort our friends at Bethel as they made the best of a difficult situation.”

Several members of Madison UMC have quite a bit of damage to their homes. Some have been evacuated. Some of the homes have structural damage to foundations. “People in our congregation are opening their homes for members who are displaced," says Pastor Randy. “Pastor Andrew and I have been reaching out and supporting and just helping wherever we can. We've been listening and providing hope. Members of the church are also helping neighbors and providing wherever needed. Last night when I discovered the emergency shelter had cots and blankets, but no pillows, our congregation provided a few pillows to make things a little better.”

Shanard Rd., east of Mitchell, SD, is under water where it crosses the James River Valley. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

Throughout southeastern South Dakota, several bridges have been washed away. Roads are impassable and closed. Travel in some locations is not plausible because of water over the road or gaping holes and collapses.

In and around the community of Mitchell, South Dakota, many roads are closed. Public schools are not in session. Most of Interstate 90, a main thoroughfare across South Dakota is closed, from Sioux Falls to west of Mitchell.

Residents in the area are waiting for rivers and streams to crest in the next few days. Dakota Wesleyan University cancelled classes on Friday, so students could help people throughout the community remove wet debris from basements, sandbag, or evacuate.

Currently, there are no United Methodist churches that have reported any damage. The Dakotas Conference office has not experienced flooding at this point.

Flooding in Montrose, SD on Sept. 12, 2019, after torrential downpours.

A mandatory evacuation is in effect in the city of Montrose because of swelling river levels. All highways leading into the community are closed. The United Methodist Church in Montrose, South Dakota is serving as an emergency shelter.

“Montrose UMC was open and available for anyone in the Montrose area who may have been displaced by the flooding.” Says Rev. Valerie Hummel LaBounty, who serves at Montrose UMC. “They were sandbagging all day yesterday and were saying it was worse than the flood of ‘93. Many people have donated food and have reached out to me and others to see what they can do to help. It’s amazing how quickly and efficiently people come together to save and protect their communities.” 

If you would like to reach out to volunteer or assist in any of the communities dealing with devastation throughout southeastern South Dakota, call 211 to get connected.