WeatherFanatics: PHOTOS: Multi-Vortex Tornadoes, Flooding Ravage South Dakota

Thursday, June 19, 2014

PHOTOS: Multi-Vortex Tornadoes, Flooding Ravage South Dakota

By Kristen Rodman, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

June 19,2014; 8:00PM,EDT

See larger image below.

Apart of a multi-day severe weather outbreak across the Plains and Midwest, a tornado plowed through the central part of the small South Dakota town of Wessington Springs on Wednesday night.
With a population of nearly 1,000 residents, the twister charged through the town, destroying local businesses, leveling multiple homes and leaving one person injured in its wake.
Luckily, the community's tornado alarms sounded several times prior to the outbreak, giving most residents ample time to get to the city's emergency shelter in the courthouse basement, according to the Associated Press.
Late Wednesday night, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard activated more than 100 South Dakota National Guardsmen to assist the Wessington Springs community in cleanup efforts.
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Aside from the Wessington Springs twister, tornadoes also spun up in other places across the state, including Woonsocket, Alpena and Forestburg. In addition to the tornadoes, much of the region endured widespread flooding as storms brought heavy rains to the area.
Although this week has been an active week for severe weather across the region, this weekend will bring additional storm threats to the central Plains. The area will be at risk for large hail, damaging winds and possibly more tornadoes.

NWS employee Jenni Laflin caught a glimpse of a tornado near Lane, South Dakota, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (Photo/NWS, Jenni Laflin)

Flood waters pour over South Dakota Highway 46 between Turner and Clay counties after storms roll through the area on June 18, 2014. (Photo/South Dakota Highway Patrol)

This photo provided by Connor McCrorey shows a tornado near Alpena, S.D., about 15 miles southwest of Wessignton Springs, on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo/TVNweather.com, Connor McCrorey)

South Dakota Highway 46 remains closed after storms severely damaged the roadway on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (Photo/South Dakota Department of Transportation)

The Red Cross travels to Wessington Springs, South Dakota, to access the storm damage from the destructive tornado that struck the town on Wednesday night, June 18, 2014. (Photo/Red Cross Dakotas Region)

In Perkins County, South Dakota, Highway 73 is closed after partially collapsing following storms on June 18, 2014. (Photo/South Dakota Highway Patrol)

Have questions, comments, or a story to share? Email Kristen Rodman at Kristen.Rodman@accuweather.com or follow her on Twitter @Accu_Kristen. Follow us @breakingweather, or on Facebook and Google+.

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