Letcher, SD Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Letcher is about the same as South Dakota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Letcher is higher than South Dakota average and is higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #133
| Letcher, SD | 0.04 |
| South Dakota | 0.05 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Letcher, SD | 0.0000 |
| South Dakota | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #103
| Letcher, SD | 166.08 |
| South Dakota | 114.73 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 2,312 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Letcher, SD were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 16 | Cold: | 2 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 0 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 158 | Hail: | 1,204 | Heat: | 1 | Heavy Snow: | 13 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 0 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 35 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 810 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 28 | Winter Weather: | 0 |
| Other: | 44 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Letcher, SD.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Letcher, SD.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Letcher, SD.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 61 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Letcher, SD.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.5 | 1978-06-24 | 2 | 43°54'N / 98°07'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Sanborn | |||
| 8.5 | 1962-05-21 | 2 | 44°01'N / 98°17'W | 43°52'N / 98°20'W | 10.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Sanborn |
| 8.7 | 1992-06-16 | 2 | 43°43'N / 98°09'W | 43°50'N / 98°11'W | 3.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Davison |
| 8.7 | 1992-06-16 | 2 | 43°43'N / 98°09'W | 43°50'N / 98°11'W | 3.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Davison |
| 11.5 | 1962-05-14 | 3 | 44°30'N / 98°14'W | 43°38'N / 98°01'W | 60.70 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Davison |
| 11.9 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 43°42'N / 98°14'W | 43°47'N / 98°15'W | 6.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Davison |
| Brief Description: A tornado damaged crops, trees, and numerous buildings on several farms. On one farm the northeast corner of a home was heavily damaged, and several buildings including a barn, a grainery, and a machine shed were destroyed. Large trees were blown down. | |||||||||||
| 12.6 | 2003-06-24 | 3 | 44°01'N / 98°19'W | 44°05'N / 98°16'W | 5.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Sanborn |
| Brief Description: A tornado, crossing into Sanborn County from Jerauld County, destroyed or severely damaged several buildings on two farms. The tornado lifted the roof off a house. Another farmhouse had windows blown out, and shingles and aluminum siding torn off. Destroyed buildings included a barn, garage, outbuildings, and other small structures. Vehicles inside the destroyed garage were damaged. The tornado also caused tree, power line, and crop damage. | |||||||||||
| 13.6 | 1962-05-21 | 3 | 43°43'N / 98°03'W | 1.00 Mile | 167 Yards | 0 | 32 | 2.5M | 0 | Davison | |
| 14.6 | 1973-04-19 | 2 | 44°00'N / 97°54'W | 44°12'N / 98°12'W | 20.10 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Sanborn |
| 14.6 | 1962-04-26 | 2 | 43°43'N / 98°00'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Davison | |||
| 16.6 | 1992-06-16 | 2 | 43°59'N / 97°50'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Miner | |
| 19.9 | 2007-05-05 | 3 | 43°40'N / 98°25'W | 43°44'N / 98°27'W | 4.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 0K | Aurora |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed a hunting lodge and nearby outbuildings. The tornado also severely damaged a house, tossed a trailer 100 yards, and caused tree damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 5th produced large hail, damaging winds, several tornadoes, and flash flooding in southeast South Dakota. Significant damage was reported from several locations. | |||||||||||
| 20.8 | 1968-06-20 | 3 | 43°41'N / 97°59'W | 43°39'N / 97°47'W | 9.90 Miles | 2667 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Davison |
| 21.6 | 1998-05-30 | 2 | 43°46'N / 97°49'W | 43°44'N / 97°43'W | 6.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0 | Hanson |
| Brief Description: A tornado damaged trees and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 23.3 | 1962-05-15 | 2 | 44°00'N / 97°42'W | 44°04'N / 97°44'W | 4.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 0K | 0 | Miner |
| 26.1 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 43°45'N / 97°38'W | 43°51'N / 97°39'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 10K | 0K | Hanson |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado caused damage to trees and a junk yard after crossing over from McCook County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 5th produced large hail, damaging winds, several tornadoes, and flash flooding in southeast South Dakota. Significant damage was reported from several locations. | |||||||||||
| 26.5 | 2006-08-24 | 2 | 44°19'N / 98°10'W | 44°15'N / 98°04'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.0M | 0 | Beadle |
| Brief Description: A tornado severely damaged 3 houses and destroyed or damaged a barn and several smaller buildings on farmsteads. The tornado knocked down power poles, with a transformer on one of the poles starting a brief fire. A tree shelter belt and crops were damaged. The amount of crop damage was not known. | |||||||||||
| 27.4 | 1954-05-27 | 2 | 43°37'N / 97°47'W | 43°38'N / 97°43'W | 2.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Hanson |
| 27.7 | 1954-05-27 | 2 | 43°30'N / 98°06'W | 1.00 Mile | 137 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Davison | |
| 28.8 | 1998-05-30 | 3 | 43°45'N / 97°41'W | 43°43'N / 97°33'W | 7.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.0M | 100K | Hanson |
| Brief Description: A large and strengthening tornado destroyed buildings and other property on five farms and also destroyed trees and power lines before crossing the eastern edge of Hanson County. | |||||||||||
| 29.0 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 43°43'N / 97°36'W | 43°46'N / 97°37'W | 4.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0K | Mccook |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damaged a house on the west side of Spencer and caused tree damage before crossing into western Hanson County. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 5th produced large hail, damaging winds, several tornadoes, and flash flooding in southeast South Dakota. Significant damage was reported from several locations. | |||||||||||
| 29.1 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 44°04'N / 97°36'W | 44°04'N / 97°37'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 0K | Miner |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damaged outbuildings and destroyed a hunting lodge. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Numerous thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening of May 5th produced large hail, damaging winds, several tornadoes, and flash flooding in southeast South Dakota. Significant damage was reported from several locations. | |||||||||||
| 29.2 | 1969-08-08 | 2 | 43°42'N / 98°00'W | 43°38'N / 97°19'W | 34.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Davison |
| 30.1 | 1973-07-01 | 2 | 43°50'N / 97°33'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Mccook | |
| 30.8 | 1962-05-16 | 2 | 44°10'N / 97°39'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Miner | |||
| 30.8 | 1986-07-28 | 2 | 43°39'N / 98°43'W | 43°39'N / 98°36'W | 3.50 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Aurora |
| 30.8 | 1965-05-08 | 2 | 43°57'N / 97°30'W | 43°59'N / 97°34'W | 3.30 Miles | 243 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Miner |
| 31.5 | 1984-06-07 | 2 | 44°01'N / 97°32'W | 0.10 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Miner | |
| 32.1 | 1962-05-14 | 3 | 43°24'N / 98°23'W | 43°30'N / 98°14'W | 9.70 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Douglas |
| 33.2 | 1998-05-30 | 4 | 43°45'N / 97°37'W | 43°42'N / 97°26'W | 7.00 Miles | 1600 Yards | 6 | 150 | 17.0M | 400K | Mccook |
| Brief Description: The tornado from Hanson County destroyed most of Spencer as it strengthened and continued to grow. Most homes, other buildings, and other structures in Spencer were completely levelled. Debris and belongings were scattered over a large area, and one receipt blown from Spencer was found just west of Chandler, MN about 80 miles east of Spencer. The tornado killed 6 and injured 150 in Spencer. The tornado continued southeast from Spencer, widened, then weakened, and dissipated 4 miles southwest of Salem with another tornado then forming from the same storm. The tornado caused additional damage to trees, power lines, crops, and buildings on farms after moving southeast of Spencer. F70PH, F77PH, F93PH, F68PH, M62PH, F85PH | |||||||||||
| 34.0 | 2003-06-24 | 3 | 44°22'N / 98°02'W | 44°24'N / 98°00'W | 3.50 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.5M | 0 | Beadle |
| Brief Description: A tornado destroyed farm buildings and numerous trees, resulting in F3 damage southwest of Cavour. Homes and businesses within the town of Cavour were severely damaged (F2). Winds of 120 mph were measured by an anemometer on top of a grain elevator in Cavour. | |||||||||||
| 34.3 | 1969-06-25 | 2 | 43°24'N / 98°14'W | 43°26'N / 98°22'W | 6.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Douglas |
| 34.3 | 1954-05-27 | 2 | 43°47'N / 97°33'W | 43°51'N / 97°23'W | 9.00 Miles | 90 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mccook |
| 34.3 | 1986-07-28 | 2 | 43°26'N / 98°23'W | 1.90 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Douglas | |
| 35.1 | 1972-07-19 | 2 | 44°22'N / 97°52'W | 0.30 Mile | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Beadle | |
| 35.3 | 1968-06-20 | 2 | 43°29'N / 98°51'W | 43°36'N / 98°27'W | 21.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Charles Mix |
| 36.1 | 2006-08-24 | 3 | 44°25'N / 98°41'W | 44°19'N / 98°16'W | 19.50 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 2 | 15.0M | 0 | Beadle |
| Brief Description: A tornado, entering Beadle County from Hand County to the west, destroyed 8 houses, damaged at least 7 other houses, and destroyed or damaged numerous farm buildings. One of the destroyed houses and several destroyed small buildings were on a farmstead 2 miles south of Wessington, and five large high voltage transmission towers were blown down about 3 miles southeast of Wessington. A woman was cut on the neck at one farm southwest of Wolsey where the house and all other buildings were destroyed; the injury was not life threatening. The tornado tossed a car and 2 pickups up to 50 feet at the same farm. Another non life threatening injury occurred southeast of Wolsey, again on a farm where the house and all buildings were destroyed. Several vehicles were destroyed or damaged. The tornado killed 10 head of cattle at one farmstead just south of Wolsey. The tornado snapped off numerous power poles, caused widespread tree damage, and severely damaged a bridge where it crossed U.S. Highway 14. The tornado also caused crop damage, but the amount of crop damage was not known. The tornado dissipated one and a half miles southwest of Huron. | |||||||||||
| 36.6 | 1962-07-07 | 2 | 44°24'N / 97°54'W | 0.20 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Beadle | |
| 36.6 | 1992-06-16 | 3 | 44°05'N / 97°32'W | 44°11'N / 97°26'W | 3.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Miner |
| 36.9 | 1993-05-07 | 2 | 43°35'N / 97°33'W | 2.00 Miles | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Hutchinson | |
| Brief Description: A tornado carried a 60 X 120 foot metal pole barn into the tops of four grain bins causing extensive damage. The tornado also destroyed many small buildings and blew roofs off larger buildings on many farms in the area. | |||||||||||
| 36.9 | 1993-05-07 | 2 | 43°35'N / 97°33'W | 1.00 Mile | 75 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Mccook | |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down on several farms destroying two pole barns, a grain bin, and a barn roof. | |||||||||||
| 37.0 | 2003-06-24 | 4 | 44°17'N / 97°46'W | 44°25'N / 97°43'W | 10.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 4 | 3.0M | 0 | Kingsbury |
| Brief Description: A tornado destroyed or heavily damaged all buildings, other structures, and vehicles in the small town of Manchester. Propane and fuel oil tanks were destroyed. Many homes were stripped to the foundation. Of the six residents of the town, four were injured and were transported to hospitals. Three were deemed to be seriously injured, but non of the injuries were life threatening. One of the injured was in a basement, one was blown out of the home on the way to the same basement, and two were in a mobile home which was destroyed. The tornado damaged crops, trees, and power lines south of Manchester prior to reaching the town. The tornado also heavily damaged several farms north of Manchester, including two farms on which several buildings including the homes were destroyed. One of the farms was a "Centennial Farm". About 12 cattle were killed and others injured. The amount of crop damage was not known. During its path, the tornado was observed to have multiple vortices. The tornado was observed and video taped by numerous storm chasers and researchers. Researchers also deployed weather sensors around the town of Manchester. One of these sensors recorded a 100 millibar pressure drop as the tornado passed. | |||||||||||
| 37.7 | 1971-07-03 | 2 | 44°14'N / 98°59'W | 44°02'N / 98°41'W | 20.10 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hand |
| 39.1 | 1959-05-25 | 2 | 44°15'N / 98°46'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Hand | |||
| 40.3 | 1998-05-30 | 2 | 43°42'N / 97°26'W | 43°36'N / 97°24'W | 6.00 Miles | 700 Yards | 0 | 0 | 900K | 100K | Mccook |
| Brief Description: A tornado spawned by the same storm which produced the Spencer tornado damaged farms, crops, trees, and power lines in southern McCook County. | |||||||||||
| 40.4 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 44°26'N / 97°54'W | 44°29'N / 97°54'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Beadle |
| Brief Description: A tornado destroyed or heavily damaged farm structures. | |||||||||||
| 41.3 | 1986-07-28 | 2 | 43°47'N / 99°00'W | 43°43'N / 98°54'W | 6.00 Miles | 80 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Brule |
| 41.9 | 1973-07-01 | 2 | 43°50'N / 98°59'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Brule | |
| 42.2 | 2006-09-16 | 2 | 43°33'N / 97°30'W | 43°42'N / 97°17'W | 12.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0 | Mccook |
| Brief Description: A tornado affected 3 farmsteads, destroying numerous outbuildings, damaging farm equipment and a home, killing at least 5 cattle and injuring others. The tornado also damaged a hog confinement building and overturned a semi trailer on Interstate 90. | |||||||||||
| 43.5 | 1984-06-05 | 2 | 43°20'N / 97°46'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hutchinson | |||
| 44.3 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 44°25'N / 97°39'W | 44°26'N / 97°37'W | 2.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 200K | 0 | Kingsbury |
| Brief Description: A tornado caused heavy damage to farm buildings including homes. | |||||||||||
| 44.4 | 1965-05-24 | 3 | 43°30'N / 97°30'W | 43°34'N / 97°20'W | 9.00 Miles | 20 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Mccook |
| 45.1 | 1971-10-01 | 2 | 43°33'N / 97°23'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mccook | |||
| 45.2 | 1965-05-20 | 2 | 44°27'N / 97°54'W | 44°35'N / 97°47'W | 10.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Beadle |
| 46.4 | 2006-08-24 | 2 | 44°26'N / 98°47'W | 44°25'N / 98°41'W | 5.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Hand |
| Brief Description: A supercell thunderstorm tracking southeast produced a fifth tornado in Hand county. The tornado touched downed south of Vayland and tracked southeast and into Beadle county. See storm data for southeast South Dakota. The tornado formed in a heavily wooded area tracking along a county road producing F1 damage to several farmsteads. A mobile home was flipped and destroyed. A grain storage building was flipped onto a car. Several homes had significant roof and window damage. Numerous trees were snapped. As the tornado crossed into Beadle county it was producing F2 damage. | |||||||||||
| 46.5 | 1971-07-03 | 2 | 44°13'N / 99°00'W | 44°14'N / 98°56'W | 2.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hand |
| 47.3 | 1959-06-23 | 2 | 44°27'N / 98°43'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hand | |||
| 47.7 | 1971-06-04 | 2 | 43°23'N / 98°51'W | 43°26'N / 98°47'W | 4.30 Miles | 137 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Charles Mix |
| 48.3 | 1993-05-07 | 3 | 43°36'N / 97°18'W | 43°42'N / 97°11'W | 10.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 5.0M | 0 | Mccook |
| Brief Description: A tornado caused extensive damage in the Canistota area. Four metal grain storage bins were severely damaged and the roof was blown off the grain elevator. A large roof was blown off a building in Canistota resulting in rain seeping through the floors of the building. The roof blew into another building causing damage, and the flying debris took out power lines and transformers. The storm nearly totaled a farm including the house, and destroyed barns on other farms. Buildings were damaged in Montrose and a farm and metal buildings were lost on a farm east of Montrose. | |||||||||||
| 49.0 | 1961-06-21 | 3 | 44°33'N / 97°32'W | 44°00'N / 97°05'W | 43.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Kingsbury |
| 49.7 | 1965-06-28 | 2 | 43°13'N / 97°48'W | 43°15'N / 97°45'W | 2.30 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hutchinson |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.