Severe Weather | Other Disasters

Flood Safety

Flash flood waters move at incredible speed, roll boulders, tear out trees, and destroy buildings, roads, and bridges. Walls of water can reach 10 to 20 feet in height very quickly and without warning. The moment a flash flood warning is issued for your area or when you first realize that a flash flood is imminent, act quickly to save yourself. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately...you may have only seconds. Watch for signs of heavy rain upstream of your location or rising water. If you see rising water or a flash flood warning is issued, go to higher ground immediately! Follow evacuation instructions, but don't wait for them if you think you are in danger. Act quickly to save yourself--you may have only seconds to escape danger.

• Go to high ground immediately.
• Leave canyons, valleys, and other low-lying areas. Go to high ground immediately!
• Do not try to cross a flowing stream on foot. You can be pushed over by flowing water only six inches deep!
• Do not drive through flooded areas. Flood water can wash a vehicle from the roadway and the road under the water may no longer be intact. If you are driving, watch for flooded bridges and low areas in the road. NEVER drive through water if you don't know how deep it is. Your vehicle can be swept away by flowing water only a foot or two deep. Be especially cautious at night when flood waters are difficult to see.
• If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Rising flood water may engulf and sweep it away.
• Do not place your vehicle, camper, or tent along streams, creeks, or washes, particularly during threatening weather. Do not place your vehicle, camper or tent in areas where your only exit crosses a stream. Choose campsites away from creeks and other low-lying areas.
• When water threatens your campsite, leave immediately. Do not attempt to save your camper, tent, clothing, or other personal belongings.

Lightning Safety

Keep an eye on the sky. At signs of an approaching storm...towering thunderheads, darkening skies, lightning, increased wind...tune in your portable or vehicle radio and listen for the latest weather information. Lightning is one of South Dakota's deadliest natural hazards. Most lightning fatalities occur during spring and summer when people are outdoors for recreational activities, occupations, and home maintenance chores. Because thunderstorms are an almost-daily summertime occurrence around the Black Hills, people too often disregard them and continue their outdoor activities.

During the summer, check the weather forecasts before planning outdoor activities and periodically throughout the day. When you're outside; watch for signs of a developing storm; such as towering thunderheads, darkening skies, lightning, and increasing wind. Go to a safe location as soon as you see lightning or hear thunder. The current from a lightning flash can easily travel long distances, so don't wait until the lightning gets too close.

• Outdoors
• Move to a substantially-constructed building (one with electrical wiring and plumbing) or hard-topped vehicle. Partially-enclosed buildings like carports, picnic shelters, or dugouts and open vehicles such as convertibles, bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, and all-terrain vehicles are not safe.
• Lightning typically strikes the tallest object. Do NOT stand under a tall isolated tree, on a hilltop, or in a clearing where you are the highest point; instead, go to a low area like a ravine, gully, or valley.
• Remove shoes with metal cleats; put down golf clubs, metal baseball bats, and backpacks.
• Stay away from metal fences, bleachers, clotheslines, pipes, rails, and tents with metal frames.
• Get off lakes, out of swimming pools, and away from beaches.
• Indoors
• Stay off porches and away from windows and doors.
• Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.
• Avoid using corded telephones except for emergencies.
• Do not use electrical appliances.
• Avoid contact with water and plumbing; do not wash your hands, take a shower, wash dishes, or do laundry.

As a last resort, if you are caught in the open with no safe location nearby, sit on the ground with your feet together. Stay at least 15 feet from other people or objects so lightning won't travel between you.

Always be aware of the weather around you. Thunderstorms are impressive in their beauty, but they can also be extremely dangerous if you are caught in the open, on the golf course, at the ball field, or in the swimming pool. At the first sign of an approaching thunderstorm, prepare yourself to seek shelter. These storms can produce lightning, hail, heavy rain and tornados.

Spring/Summer Storms

The threat of lightning, hail, flash floods, or tornadoes, is one that all outdoor participants should be aware of. Knowing what to do when one of these summer storms occurs will allow everyone to enjoy outdoor summer activities more and may save your life. Know the difference between a weather watch and a weather warning.

• Weather Watch: Severe weather is possible within the designated watch area. Be alert!
• Weather Warning: Severe weather has been reported or is imminent. Take necessary precautions immediately.

NOAA Weather Radios

A NOAA weather radio will notify you when a Severe Summer Storm Warning has been issued. These warnings include hail, heavy thunderstorms, flash flooding, and tornadoes. When activated, the radio will emit a siren-like wail to notify you that important weather information is about to be broadcast. The wail is loud enough to wake most persons from a sound sleep and may be the only method of notification when sleeping. The information broadcast is direct from the National Weather Service, is current, and will usually include steps you can take to protect yourself from the impending storm.

Tornado Safety

Tornadoes in South Dakota are not common, but they are also not rare...they can and do occur in our area. Tornadoes can develop quickly.

Tornadoes are violent storms which can cause major devastation and loss of life. They can strike without warning and, even with warning, are very unpredictable. Whenever a tornado warning has been issued and/or the public warning sirens sound, seek shelter immediately and turn your radio or TV on to a local station for information.

In Homes

Seek shelter in the basement for the greatest protection. Get under a stairwell, or heavy furniture, if possible. In homes without basements, seek shelter in the central part of the house, in a small room on the lowest floor, like a bathroom, closet or hallway. Protect yourself from flying debris with pillows or blankets. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. Do NOT open windows. Strong winds and flying debris may injure you.

In Shopping Centers

Go to a designated shelter area, not to your vehicle.

In Schools

Follow advance plans and go to the designated shelter area. Stay out of the auditoriums, gyms and other structures with open, free-san roofs.

In Office Buildings/Hotels/Motels

Go to an interior hallway on the lowest floor or to a designated shelter. Avoid windows, skylights and other areas containing glass structures. Use the stairs, not the elevator. Leave large rooms with high open ceilings, large windows and skylights, such as gymnasiums, church sanctuaries or industrial buildings.

In Vehicles

Do not try to drive away from a tornado or take cover under a highway overpass. If there are no buildings nearby, leave your vehicle and find a low area away from it that is clear of potential debris, such as trees and power lines. Lie flat and cover your head.

In Open Country

Go to a nearby ditch, ravine or gully, lie flat and over your head. Watch for rising water from the heavy rains that often accompany a tornado.

In Mobile Homes/Trailers

Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornadic winds and should be evacuated. Mobile home parks should have a pre-designated storm shelter. Mobile home residents should plan to take shelter in a permanent structure or with friends, neighbors or family. DO NOT wait until the last minute to evacuate...allow sufficient time to leave your mobile home and arrive at your shelter area. If you don't have time, lie flat in a ditch or ravine away from the mobile home and protect yourself with pillows and/or blankets.

Remember

• There Is No Guaranteed Safe Place During A Tornado!
• Do Not Watch The Tornado!
• When The Sirens Sound, Do Not Run Outside To See What Is Happening.
• Seek Shelter Immediately!

Winter Storms

Reliable transportation is a must in the winter. One should acquire a healthy respect for cold weather. The following precautions may help you avoid an unpleasant or dangerous situation while traveling. In addition to winterizing your vehicle, you should carry a winter storm kit. The kit should contain: sleeping bags or blankets, matches and candles, winter clothing, food, first-aid kit, pocket knife, flashlight and radio with extra batteries for each, a bag of sand and shovel, tire chains and tools, windshield scraper, battery jumper cables, and two coffee cans. Small supplies can be kept in the coffee cans and when you are stranded, one can be used for personal sanitation needs and the other to burn the candles in for heat. When burning a candle, leave a down-wind window slightly open for air circulation and ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen without the victim being aware of it until it's too late.

If A blizzard Traps You In Your Car

Being stuck or stranded in a South Dakota winter storm can become a question of survival. It's serious business and you and your vehicle must be prepared.

• Stay in the vehicle. Do not attempt to walk in a blizzard. Disorientation comes quickly in blowing and drifting snow. Being lost in open country during a blizzard is extremely dangerous. You are more likely to be found in your vehicle and you will be sheltered there.
• Avoid overexertion and exposure. Exertions from attempting to push your stuck vehicle, shoveling heavy drifts, and performing other difficult tasks during strong winds, blinding snow, and the bitter cold of a blizzard may cause a heart attack...even for persons in apparently good physical condition.
• Be aware of carbon monoxide. Burn candles and run the engine and heater sparingly, and only with a down-wind window slightly open for ventilation. Freezing rain, wet snow, and wind-driven snow can completely seal the passenger compartment of your vehicle. Make sure that snow has not blocked the exhaust pipe.
• Insulate. Blankets, extra clothing, floor mats, and even newspapers and road maps can be used for extra warmth.
• Exercise by clapping your hands and moving your arms and legs from time to time, and do not stay in one position for long. Don't overdo it. Exercise warms you but also increases body heat loss.
• Take turns keeping watch. If more than one person is in the vehicle, don't all sleep at the same time. If alone, stay awake as long as possible.
• Turn on the interior light at night to make your vehicle more visible to rescue and work crews.

Tips to Remember

• Stretch your following distance. Ice or snow can increase your stopping distance from three to 10 times.
• Avoid a collision by intentionally steering your vehicle off the road and into a snowbank in an emergency situation.
• Be able to see and be seen. Clean snow off all windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors.

Pandemic Flu

"An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears in the human population, causes serious human illness, and spreads easily from person to person worldwide." quote from South Dakota Department of Health website.

During a severe influenza outbreak or pandemic, the media and healthcare providers will notify residents of Pennington County with instructions for obtaining medical advice and receiving medical care. The following information is a general guide and is not intended to take the place of medical advice from a healthcare provider.

Things to keep in mind

• Monitoring and comforting
• Keep a care log.
• Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible.
• Keep tissues and a trash bag within reach.
• Keep in mind that fever is a sign that the body is fighting the infection.
• Watch for complications of influenza.
• Medications.
• Over-the-counter medications can help.
• Ask your healthcare provider.
• Fluids and nutrition.
• Know the minimum fluid intake for children and adults.
• Beware of dehydration.

For more complete information… Caring for someone with pandemic flu [PDF].

Rapid City Flood 1972

The Rapid City flood on June 9-10 in1972 is one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history. More than 200 people lost their lives in a period of hours. The total estimated rainfall was the equivalent of 14.5 Pactola Reservoirs. Heaviest rainfall was 15 inches in six hours at Keystone. Read more about the flood.