Even Heavier Rains, Possible Flash Flooding, Expected in Lincoln County Overnight, NWS Predicts

Southeast South Dakota should brace itself to see another round of heavy rain Friday night and Saturday, with another two to five inches of rain forecast in some areas on top of what has already fallen.

The last time something of this magnitude was seen, with flash flood warnings lasting several hours, was in 2019, when there were several rounds of heavy rain and the ground was saturated and “couldn’t take it anymore,” said the director of the National Weather Service, Todd Heitkamp. he said.

Heitkamp said there are too many flood warnings to name at this time, and that anyone living in an area that is not under a flood warning should consider themselves on a flood warning, as the heaviest rain will occur after 5pm on Friday. fair at night.

The most impacted areas will be south of Interstate 90 and east of Highway 81 in South Dakota, Heitkamp said.

“Whatever rain we receive, no matter how much, it will exacerbate problems that already exist and make the situation worse,” Heitkamp said. “The main thing people need to remember is to stay aware of the weather conditions and be prepared to act if your area starts to flood.”

Heitkamp said if you don’t need to travel, especially in areas like Lincoln County and others with a lot of water, don’t travel.

This article originally appeared in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Flooding: NWS Director No Urges Travel in Lincoln County