Editorial: Worries rise along with springtime flooding risk

Talk about it

Meteorologists are warning South Dakotans that flooding is on the way, sure as the warm sun will eventually — at least we assume — break through the gray sky and melt the mounds of snow that highlight this region’s landscape.

After years of drought, it’s been plenty wet in eastern and central South Dakota the past two years. Last winter was one of the worst in recent times, with heavy snow dominating the weather pattern until spring. Heavy rains then followed.

This winter has seen several feet of snow dumped on Mitchell and the immediate region. It’s the same to the north of here, where the James River originates.

According to the National Weather Service’s Hydrologic Information Center, the James and the Big Sioux are both prime for major flooding this spring. A look at a map on the Hydrologic Information Center’s website page shows all of eastern South Dakota is either expected to have high or aboveaverage flood risk in 2011.

That region doesn’t include the White River, a waterway that originates in western South Dakota and empties into the Missouri River south of Chamberlain. Earlier this month, the White already was the focus of a flood warning.

North and east of here, Watertown is facing grim news. A hydrologist with the National Weather Service says flooding on the Big Sioux near Watertown could be record-setting.

As these predictions continue to roll in, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has urged people in floodplains to immediately purchase flood insurance and to move valuables out of the low spots in their homes.

That’s good advice, and we urge homeowners who are considering flood insurance to make the call as soon as possible, since this specialized protection must be purchased in advance of a flood. We suggest calling an insurance agent to get the details.

The forecast calls for a warming trend to overtake this frigid weather in the coming days. Normally, such a prediction is pleasing as we come out of a long, cold winter. This spring, however, such talk makes us worry that disaster could be on its way for many South Dakotans.

Tags: opinion, editorial, flooding, columns, updates, flood