Hard rains and severe flooding have hit Hutchinson County, SD hard.

FEMA will assess damage there, as 17 representatives are scattered throughout 28 counties in South Dakota.

In Parkston, parts of the city looked more like a lake instead of a city. Water is everywhere in Hutchinson County. Flood waters destroyed many roads and damaged more than 200 homes in Parkston. The Hutchinson County Commission could declare the county a disaster area.

While in Hutchinson County, FEMA will visit homes and businesses. They'll look at how waters have flooded much of Parkston's west side. Some of the homes have several feet of water inside.

Right now, they're simply compiling information. They're visit doesn't necessarily guarantee federal assistance.

However, the information they gather will be used to determine whether or not the state should make an official request for federal assistance, which is ultimately approved by President George W. Bush.

FEMA hopes to complete their study by the end of the week.