Heavy rains flood Mitchell, city officials urging residents to avoid travel

Jun. 20—UPDATE:

Read a more updated version of this story here.

MITCHELL — Heavy rains flooded Mitchell Thursday night, causing stranded vehicles on flooded roads and water seeping into local businesses.

The Department of Public Safety issued statements on social media late Thursday night advising residents to avoid travel.

The Mitchell Fire and Emergency Services Department were responding to numerous drivers stranded on flooded roads. City crews blocked off many roads amid the downpour.

Once again, the area along East Hackberry Street in central Mitchell with a history of drainage issues was hit hard. Multiple vehicles were submerged in standing water late Thursday night along East Hackberry Street.

In the fall of 2019 when Mitchell received a record two-day rain storm that dropped 11 inches of rain, numerous businesses and homes along the East Hackberry Street and South Kimball Avenue area were submerged in standing water.

Portions of Interstate 90 surrounding the Mitchell area were also flooded Thursday night, as there were multiple reports of vehicles stranded on I-90.

Unofficial reports indicated Mitchell had received around 4 inches of rain as of Thursday night. The National Weather Service (NWS) of Sioux Falls is forecasting rain to continue falling in Mitchell well into the early morning hours on Friday, June 21.

Flash flood warnings remain in effect until Saturday morning, according to the NWS.