After a deadly derecho hit South Dakota, what we know about damage, deaths
South Dakota was hit severe storms Thursday that left at least two people dead. The storms were classified as a derecho Friday by the National Weather Service.
The storms caused extensive damage across the state, with intense straight line winds and tornadoes. From downed power lines, trees and damages here's what we know Friday.
What happened during Thursday's storm?
The National Weather Service forecast a "moderate" risk for severe weather Thursday for eastern South Dakota, including Sioux Falls, but the storm intensified.
In Castlewood, the school was badly damage ripped through the Hamlin County town Thursday evening. At least two homes in Castlewood were damaged by a tornado, according to a National Weather Service report.
The storms produced winds near 100 mph, with gusts of 97 mph in Madison and 96 mph in Wentworth.
More:
Castlewood School badly damaged by tornado; Noem declares state of emergency
NWS: Wind speeds up to 100 mph caused damage in southeastern South Dakota
Derecho vs. Haboob? What was the storm?
The storm has been officially classified as a derecho as of Friday afternoon by the National Weather Service.
A derecho is defined as a "a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms” by the NOAA. The National Weather Service says storms that have sustained winds of at least 58 mph and leave a path of damage at least 250 miles long qualify as derechos.
Haboobs, on the other hand, refer to the wall of dust pushed from the grown from a thunderstorm downdraft, according to the NOAA.
More: Was the storm that hit South Dakota on Thursday a derecho? And what is a haboob?
Storm damage in South Dakota
Winds of more than 100 mph winds, tornadoes and storms caused downed trees, power outages, and two deaths as of Friday afternoon.
Castlewood’s tornado damaged two homes and school. Another report of a tornado briefly touched down near New Effington, though no damage had been reported as of mid-day Friday.
Storm damage in Brookings has caused the city to ask residents to not use the water, as South Dakota State University also closed.
More: South Dakota derecho caused damage in these 28 counties Thursday. Here are some of the reports.
While Minnehaha County was still getting damage reports Friday, authorities said most were around downed power lines and trees Thursday.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem declared an emergency due to the widespread damage, deploying National Guard to Castlewood, Madison and nearby towns.
More:
Power still out? Tree limbs in your yard? Here's what to do after Sioux Falls storms
Emergency managers swarming to assess storm damage in multiple South Dakota counties
'This shook my soul:' Photos, videos show severe weather and storm damage in South Dakota
Was anyone injured or killed during the storms?
During a news conference Friday, officials confirmed the death of second person. Earlier, official in Sioux Falls said there was a fatality in the city.
While there hasn't been information released about the Sioux Falls death, officials said the second death was 61-year-old Wendy Lape of Wentworth.
More:
Second person killed in South Dakota storms Thursday, authorities say
How deadly storms rolled through Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Thursday
Power outage map, how to report in South Dakota
As of Friday afternoon, more than 13,000 people in southeastern South Dakota were still without power as East River Electric, SD Rural Electric and Xcel suffered damages from the storm. As power companies begin to get customers’ power restored, we’ll share the latest updates here.
You can report power outages to Xcel and SD Rural Electric Association by phone or online.
Power outage map: See a map of reported power outages in South Dakota
Report a power outage: How to report a power outage in South Dakota to Xcel Energy or Sioux Valley Energy
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota storm, damage updates Friday after derecho and haboob
