Latest news with #WatertownFireRescue
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Car fire briefly closes Interstate 29 in Watertown on Tuesday
A car fire sent Watertown Fire Rescue to Interstate 29 on Tuesday, Aug. 6. At approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday, Watertown Fire Rescue responded to a car fire following a single-vehicle incident on I-29 near mile marker 173, according to a release. WFR units Engine 4, Tender 1 and Medic 4 responded to the scene. Upon arrival, crews found a two door BMW fully engulfed in flames, with debris scattered across both southbound lanes of I-29, according to a release. Engine 4 initiated fire suppression efforts while Medic 4 evaluated the driver. Tender 1 provided water supply support. The driver sustained minor injuries and declined transport to Prairie Lakes Hospital for further evaluation, the release stated. Engine 4 extinguished the fire, which had spread to the vehicle's fuel tank. After the fire was put out, crews from Engine 4 and Tender 1, with assistance from Performance Towing, worked to clean up debris from the roadway. The east lane of I-29 southbound was closed for approximately 45 minutes during the incident, the release stated. Performance Towing, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the Codington County Sheriff's Office helped WFR. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Interstate 29 car fire briefly closes freeway in Watertown Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Here's what we know about the tornado confirmed near Watertown on July 27
A confirmed tornado northwest of Watertown late July 27 caused "significant damage" to a farmstead, a National Weather Service meteorologist told the Argus Leader. The damage was still being assessed, so the tornado had not yet been assigned a rating as of the morning of July 28, said Kelly Serr, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Aberdeen. "We have to look at the damage to be able to assign the wind speed," Serr said. "Radar tells us a lot – it told us there was rotation there – but it can't tell us the actual wind speed of the tornado itself." There were reports of large hail on the south side of Watertown and farther to the south, Serr said, and also reports of between 3 to 5 inches of rain in Hamlin County, where some secondary roads were flooded. Multiple images and videos of the tornado were shared online as it tore across fields near Watertown. Storm topples power lines in Watertown Watertown Fire Rescue responded to multiple reports of downed power lines during the July 27 storm, a news release says. Here are the details: Shortly before 7 p.m., crews responded to 11th Street and 1st Avenue NE and found that a tree had fallen onto power lines, dropping the lines on several vehicles parked nearby. The responders confirmed that the power lines were no longer energized. About 7:05 p.m., crews responded to a report of two power poles in the roadway at 1528 17th St. NE, north of the Premier Softball complex. Both poles had snapped off, causing a large power line to make contact with a nearby residence. The power line made a burn mark on the home and damaged a gas line outside, so crews turned off the gas and made sure no fires had started inside. Shortly before 8 p.m., crews responded to a report of another downed power line in the 1700 block of 4th Avenue SW, where they found a tree had fallen on a power line, knocking it to the ground. More severe weather forecast for July 28 Another round of severe thunderstorms is expected to move through the region in the late afternoon July 28, with heavy rain and hurricane-force winds possible, the weather service says. The main concern will be wind gusts of 70 mph or more, though large hail and a few tornadoes are also possible. The storms could become a derecho as they drift over eastern South Dakota, according to the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. The area most at risk for high winds was north of Interstate 90, including Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron and Watertown. The weather service said it "highly advised" securing any items that might easily blow away before the storms arrive. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: NWS still assessing damage after July 27 tornado near Watertown
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Watertown Fire Rescue puts out 3 grass fires Friday
Just after 2 p.m. Friday, June 20th, multiple units from Watertown Fire Rescue went to Interstate 29 because of a report of a large grass fire. The WFR brought Brush 2, Brush 3 and Tender 1 to the scene where three separate fires were found within about a half mile of each other between mile markers 187 and 188, according to the release. The two Brush trucks were able to contain and extinguish the fire, but required multiple refills from WFR's Tender truck that was on scene to supply water, the report said. The units were on scene for about an hour and a half. WFR was assisted by the Codington County Sherriff's Department and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Three grass fires in Watertown extinguished on I-29
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Church fire; DOC deaths; Cold tonight and rain
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — Here are this morning's top stories with KELOLAND On the Go. A Watertown church is trying to figure out what's next after a fire broke out Monday afternoon. The Watertown Fire Rescue assistant chief told KELOLAND News Tuesday, the cause wasn't confirmed yet, but there's a high probability lightning is to blame. Pastors describe support after Watertown church fire South Dakota's top law enforcement officer says it doesn't look like the state's latest Department of Corrections inmate deaths were from natural causes. Jackley: Recent DOC inmate deaths 'likely' overdoses Temperatures will warm the most in Rapid City, mainly due to more sunshine. Temperatures will once again bottom out into the 30s tonight with some clearing. Another cool day ahead; Shower chances coming this weekend Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pastors describe support after Watertown church fire
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Watertown church is trying to figure out what's next after a fire broke out Monday afternoon. A West River tech will cost 911 panel $1.1 million The Watertown Fire Rescue assistant chief told KELOLAND News Tuesday, the cause isn't confirmed yet, but there's a high probability lightning is to blame. A thunderstorm was moving through the area at the time of the fire. Before flames could seen on the roof of Hosanna Lutheran Church, Pastor Craig Werling was inside with another staff member. 'It was pouring rain, it was lightning and we heard a very close, very loud crack, boom, felt it almost as much as heard it,' Craig Werling said. Werling and his wife, Pastor Janine Rew-Werling, say the sanctuary suffered the brunt of the damage. On Monday, holes could be seen in the roof and pews were surrounded by water after the firefight. The couple says the church has a great insurance policy. 'The church is not the building, it's the people,' Craig Werling said. In the meantime, church leaders are figuring out where services could be held temporarily. A special meeting was scheduled for Tuesday night. 'We've had several organizations in town and churches offer us their space and we'll be planning how we're going to move forward,' Craig Werling said. Volk: Oftentimes, when bad things happen people look to pastors for guidance. Who are you two looking to for guidance right now? Craig Werling: Well, we're getting a lot of support from members of the church. Janine Rew-Werling: Yeah, our members are more worried about us than they are about themselves. And most of them have said, 'You take care of us. What can we do for you?' So we have them and we have the promise of Jesus, the Holy Spirit. This isn't the couple's first experience with a church fire. The Werlings say they were pastors at a church in northeastern South Dakota that was struck by lightning in 1999. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
