A major summer storm hit central and east South Dakota hard Monday night, and it looks like more rain could be on the way.
For now, National Weather Service meteorologists like Samantha Garrett are assessing the situation and confirming damages.
“A couple of strong supercell storms developed over south central South Dakota," Garrett said. "Those supercells produced a few – an unknown number – of tornado touchdowns across Gregory County. We do know of some damage out that way, so we’re continuing to work with emergency management out there to determine if any damage surveys may be necessary.”
Scattered storms return to the forecast this evening through tonight. Storms may produce locally heavy rainfall. This could lead to ponding of water, rises on small waterways, or isolated flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/si32OPrB2v
— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) July 29, 2025
More rain is likely on the way for many areas in eastern South Dakota. The National Weather Service says regions could see an in or more of rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
It’s still unclear if Monday's storm event qualifies as a “derecho” like the severe storm seen a few years ago.
“The definition of a derecho and the criteria of a derecho are very specific," Garrett said. "We’ll be working with experts at the Storm Prediction Center to make that determination as we continue to gather all the storm reports and work with the offices to the east who were also impacted. Derechos do stretch hundreds of miles, so it will be a collaborative effort to make that determination.”
Straight-line wind gusts exceeded 80 miles an hour at their peak, and damage reports are still being compiled across the state.
In Sioux Falls, city officials have asked residents to report downed trees or streetlights that are blocking roads. Several thousand people are still without power as of Monday morning, according to the Xcel Energy outage map.
A little farther south, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is reporting extensive damage to southern areas of the county, particularly in the community of Hudson. The office is asking that people not drive around in the area to look at storm damage. Authorities also said a cell phone tower north of Beresford was destroyed in the storm.
Monday's storm hit just one day after another powerful storm system swept across eastern South Dakota that spawned a tornado near Watertown.