South Dakota Tornado Damaged 84 Structures

Officials have confirmed damage to 84 structures from the tornado that ripped through the southeastern South Dakota town of Delmont on May 10.

State Public Safety spokesman Tony Mangan says six of the structures were in rural areas in Douglas and Charles Mix counties, and 78 were in Delmont.

The twister also heavily damaged trees in the community. National Guard soldiers have removed 81 loads of downed trees and tree branches.

The tornado injured nine people. One remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Electricity and water service have been restored to the community, though a water boil order remains in place.

Access to the community is still restricted to residents, who are being allowed to remain in habitable homes.

Attorney General Marty Jackley and South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety are urging tornado victims in Delmont to be wary of shady contractors as they begin the recovery process.

Officials say people who need repair work done quickly following a disaster often are targets of unscrupulous business practices.

Related:

• Iowa, South Dakota Towns Assessing Tornado Damage
• Iowa Twister Was EF1: Weather Service
• Damage Reported in 6 Kansas Counties Following Storms

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm