Cleanup efforts under way in Castlewood and beyond after EF2 tornado, severe storms
Cleanup and repair efforts from Castlewood to Arlington to Watertown and beyond are under way after tornadoes and severe storms ravaged the region Thursday night.
Castlewood, a town about 21 minutes outside of Watertown, was one of the hardest-hit towns, with a tornado causing severe damage to the school.
On Friday evening, the tornado was given an EF2 rating on the Fujita scale. The lowest rating on the scale is EF0, and the highest is EF5. The highest winds in the tornado were 120 mph, according to a National Weather Service damage survey.
As of late Friday, only residents and those helping with cleanup work were being allowed into Castlewood as the damage is assessed throughout the town.
Statewide disaster protocol limits traffic into areas that were damaged by the storms.
More: Castlewood School badly damaged by tornado; Noem declares state of emergency
The only entrance into Castlewood was near Cat's Corner Convenience on the north side of town along state Highway 22, according to the city's Facebook page. Entry to town was not allowed via any other route, and people trying to get to Castlewood had to check in.
Those with equipment to help with cleanup effort were give an equipment card at the check-in point. They are then had to go to the city hall community center to finish checking in.
Castlewood Mayor Brian Ries said Friday that while the streets in the town were generally safe, visitors were not allowed unless they helping with the storm response.
More: See photos of the damage in Watertown after Thursday's storms
Much of the town is currently without power. It likely won't be restored until Saturday, Ries said. There have not been any issues with water in the town, he said.
Several buildings and homes were destroyed. Some residents opened their homes to people with damaged houses, while other folks who are displaced were staying in motels, Ries said. The Salvation Army was also working to provide housing in Watertown.
Castlewood City Councilman Chad Ries, who said the storm cut through town a few blocks from his house, added that the destruction was over in about a minute. But because power had been knocked out, the city wasn't able to use warning sirens to alert residents in advance.
No serious injuries reported in Castlewood
While a couple pets were missing Friday, Ries said he was thankful there weren’t any fatalities or serious injuries. He was aware of one person who was taken to the hospital.
“She was tossed around a little in her house,” he said, adding that he visited the woman Friday and she was improving.
As of midday Friday, power restoration efforts were likely to last three to four days, Ries said, but he's been amazed by the outpouring of support.
“We have a ton of volunteers with loaders and side dumps,” he said. “It’s great to see people who have showed up.”
More: After a deadly derecho hit South Dakota, what we know about damage, deaths and power outages
Gov. Kristi Noem visited Castlewood and other communities Thursday night to speak with residents and get a feel for the damage. Friday morning, she declared a state of emergency because of the widespread storm damage.
The Castlewood school board also called a Saturday morning meeting to discuss what happens next since the school is so badly damaged.
Ottertail Power planned to have a crew in Castlewood Saturday, according to information from the utility. City officials were asking that residents don't use generators, if possible, to ensure there was enough fuel for emergency vehicles.
Gas station pumps have also been hindered by the power outage.
Storm damage less severe in Watertown
In Watertown, power lines and trees were knocked down, and there was damage to at least one hangar at the airport as a result of the Thursday storms.
The Western Area Power Administration has confirmed there were downed power lines from Flandreau to Watertown. There was no estimate Friday about when power would be completely restored.
Relief fund established by Watertown Area Community Foundation
The Watertown Area Community Foundation Board has established the Area Relief Fund to support emergency needs of nonprofit organizations, groups and churches that are helping people recover from the storms.
Organizations in the region can apply for help at watertowncommunityfoundation.org or fill out an application and mail it to the foundation at PO Box 116, Watertown, SD 57201. A decision on relief funding will be made within 48 hours of receiving an application.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: After a Thursday evening tornado, Castlewood begins cleanup work
