Union County SD Emergency Management

10/16/2026

A Wind Advisory remains in effect through tonight for most locations west of the James River for gusts up to 45 to 50 mph. Winds will slowly wane through the night, becoming much weaker Friday evening. Winds will ramp back up on Saturday which could result in locally elevated fire danger.

Low temperatures are forecasted to fall down to near to just below freezing near and east of the James River early Saturday morning. These freezing temperatures could be hazardous to vegetation and outdoor plants. A Freeze Watch has been issued for this area and is in effect from 1 am to 8 am Saturday. Take preparations to protect your plants now!

10/15/2026

Freeze Warning
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
1056 AM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026

Lyon-Sioux-Plymouth-Woodbury-Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Pipestone-Rock-
Dixon-Dakota-Kingsbury-Brookings-Miner-Lake-Moody-Hanson-McCook-
Minnehaha-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-Union-
Including the cities of Slayton, Pipestone, Luverne, North Sioux
City, Clayton, Yankton, De Smet, Scotland, Harrisburg, Lake Benton,
Rock Valley, Hendricks, Larchwood, Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, Orland,
George, Arlington, Montrose, Menno, Avon, Sioux Falls, Alcester,
Marshall, Fulda, Lake Preston, Lennox, Beresford, Emery, Vermillion,
Wakefield, Jefferson, Brookings, Irene, Hull, Alexandria,
Centerville, Howard, Inwood, Le Mars, Sioux City, Elk Point,
Hawarden, Parkston, Freeman, Marion, Chancellor, Canton, Tabor,
Ponca, South Sioux City, Ivanhoe, Tyndall, Tyler, Tea, Flandreau,
Orange City, Bridgewater, Parker, Viborg, Madison, Tripp,
Springfield, Canistota, Allen, Hurley, and Salem

1056 AM CDT Fri Oct 16 2026
..FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM CDT
SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Iowa, southwest
Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, and east central and southeast South
Dakota.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM CDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

10/09/2026

09/29/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, in partnership with Union County, South Dakota, will host a public open house for the Lower Big Sioux River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, from 6-7 p.m. at the North Sioux City Community Hall, 205 Sodrac Drive, North Sioux City, South Dakota.
The feasibility study is in its early stages, and no construction project or flood risk management measure has been selected or approved. USACE and Union County are beginning the process of evaluating existing flood risks along the lower Big Sioux River and identifying potential opportunities to reduce those risks.
The open house is intended to introduce the study to the community, explain the feasibility study process, and provide an opportunity for the public to ask initial questions and speak directly with members of the study team.
For additional information about the Lower Big Sioux River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, please visit: https://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/.../Lower-Big-Sioux-River.../

08/06/2026

04/25/2026

Union County Burn Ban Lifted

Union County Emergency Management announces that the burn ban for Union County, South Dakota, is lifted effective immediately.

This decision follows the improved grassland fire index as posted and monitored by the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.

Residents are reminded to burn safely and responsibly at all times. If any fire gets out of control, call 911 immediately.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Jason Westcott
Union County Emergency Manager