National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Snow Across the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast; Unsettled Weather in the West

Light to moderate snow will continue into Saturday over the Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, and Northeast. This weekend into next week, a series of atmospheric rivers will bring gusty winds, periods of heavy rain, and mountain snow to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Colder temperatures are in store for the weekend from the Great Lakes to East Coast. Read More >

Overview

Storms tracked across north central and northeast South Dakota during the evening hours of July 24th and into July 25th. Developing in a very moisture rich atmosphere, the storms were able to produce very heavy rain in a short amount of time, especially over parts of northeastern McPherson County, northern Brown County and far northern Marshall County. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 10 inches, with localized heavier amounts reported. The heavy rain lead to significant overland flooding as well as flooding on Elm Lake and subsequent flooding downstream along the Elm River. Many roads were underwater or completely washed out. There were reports of boats and docks submerged with others freely floating on Elm Lake. The river gauge on the Elm River, just below Elm Lake, (ERFS2) reached a record stage of 19.56 feet by the afternoon of July 25th. The Elm River at Westport (WESS2) crested at a major flood stage of 20.45 feet late on July 26th.

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Drone Photo of the Elm Lake Spillway. Photo Credit: Frederick Fire Department
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Overland Flooding in NE McPherson County. Photo Credit: McPherson County Emergency Management. McPherson County Highway 23 Washout. Video Credit: McPherson County Emergency Management. Road Damage Near Elm Lake. Photo Credit: Elm Lake Association
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Water To the Bottom of a Bridge At Elm Lake. Photo Credit: Frederick Fire Department Drone Photo of the South End of Elm Lake, Spillway to the Left. Photo Credit: Frederick Fire Department. Full Rain Gauge (10+ inches) 2 Miles West of Elm Lake. Photo Credit of Steffanie Mohror.
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