Wessington Springs tornado

It’s one of the more unique ways of celebrating 125 years of South Dakota statehood.  The result of this brainstorm from an artist in Plankinton ties together terra firma from all 66 counties.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration to help South Dakotans whose homes and businesses were damaged by a tornado and flooding last month.

The tornado that touched down near Alpena last week, injuring two people, had peak winds of 170 mph.

Videos of the powerful storms that ripped through Wessington Springs, Alpena and Woonsocket Wednesday night, June 18.

Here are some of the first pictures out of Wessington Springs Wednesday night.