Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 46113 · 2,094 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 905 records for Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 526 days; the most frequent are hail reports (340 records). The deadliest single record is the June 4, 1999 tornado: 1 death, 54 injuries and $5.7 million in damage in 2025 dollars. FEMA has issued 16 declarations naming the county since 1976, 14 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm” on February 27, 2023.
NOAA files Oglala Lakota County's newer records under county code 46102; they are counted here, under the code FEMA uses (46113).
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 905on 526 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 369 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 22strongest F3
- FEMA declarations
- 16latest 2023
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Oglala Lakota County most?
The most frequent records are hail reports: 340 since 1980. 60% of its hail reports since 1980 fell in June and July. The rank column places the county among South Dakota's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 340 | 186 | 1980-2026 | 0 | 0 | $806K | 54 of 66 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 298 | 180 | 1981-2026 | 1 | 10 | $1.2M | 48 of 66 |
| Winter storms | 130 | 126 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $1.5M | 60 of 66 |
| High wind and dust storms | 67 | 64 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 64 of 66 |
| Floods | 30 | 25 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 2 | $3.2M | 60 of 66 |
| Tornadoes | 22 | 15 | 1956-2018 | 1 | 56 | $6.3M | 61 of 66 |
| Extreme cold | 11 | 9 | 1997-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 62 of 66 |
| Wildfires | 3 | 3 | 2000-2000 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 of 66 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 2006-2006 | 0 | 0 | – | 61 of 66 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2016-2016 | 0 | 0 | – | 30 of 66 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2001-2001 | 1 | 1 | $2K | 40 of 66 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 56 of 66 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Oglala Lakota County had?
NOAA records 22 tornadoes in Oglala Lakota County from 1956 to 2018, the strongest rated F3, with 1 death and 56 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 24 tornadoes whose track touched Oglala Lakota County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 22: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 1 person.
| Date | Tornado | Rating | Path | Killed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-06-04 18:30, as SPC files it | Oglala | F2 | 15 mi | 1 |
| 1956-08-06 19:00, as SPC files it | Martin | F3 | 28.3 mi | 0 |
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in South Dakota.
Every tornado record filed for Oglala Lakota County (22)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-07-29 | Kyle, Oglala Lakota County | EF0 0.04 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2016-07-16 | Porcupine, Oglala Lakota County | EF0 0.1 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2007-06-06 | Porcupine, Oglala Lakota County | EF1 6.3 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | $36K |
| 2006-06-10 | Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-08-06 | Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-08-06 | Batesland, Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-08-06 | Batesland, Oglala Lakota County | F1 0.2 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $156K |
| 2004-08-06 | Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2001-06-12 | Slim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | F0 1 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-06-05 | Kyle, Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-06-04 | Slim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | F0 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-06-04 | Kyle, Oglala Lakota County | F0 9 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $89K |
| 1999-06-04 | Pine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County | F0 1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $35K |
| 1999-06-04 | Oglala Lakota County | F2 4 mi x 400 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1999-06-04 | Slim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | F2 15 mi x 875 yd | 1 | 54 | $5.7M |
| 1994-06-06 | Kyle/Wounded, Oglala Lakota County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | $995 |
| 1984-06-21 | Oglala Lakota County | F1 | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 1981-07-22 | Oglala Lakota County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1980-06-15 | Oglala Lakota County | F0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1972-07-21 | Oglala Lakota County | F1 | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1969-07-16 | Oglala Lakota County | F1 1 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1956-08-06 | Oglala Lakota County | F3 28.3 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Oglala Lakota County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 2, 2026 flood ($1.3 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
Thunderstorms repeatedly developed over the same areas on June 2, 2026 leading to flash flooding, that turned into pluvial flooding. Runoff from an estimated 5 to 7 inches of rain caused considerable damage in Oglala. Seven buildings were destroyed, 24 buildings had major damage, and 10 other structures reported minor damager. Highway 18 and BIA 41 were also inundated.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1335671)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | HailBatesland, Oglala Lakota County | 2.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-29 | HailBatesland, Oglala Lakota County | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-29 | HailBatesland, Oglala Lakota County | 1.25 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-29 | HailBatesland, Oglala Lakota County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-29 | HailBatesland, Oglala Lakota County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-28 | HailWounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-28 | HailPine Ridge Airport, Oglala Lakota County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindRockyford, Oglala Lakota County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-27 | HailRed Shirt, Oglala Lakota County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-22 | HailOglala Lakota County | 1.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-02 | Thunderstorm WindManderson, Oglala Lakota County | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-02 | HailOglala Lakota County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-06-04 | TornadoSlim Butte, Oglala Lakota County This was the first of two tornadoes that swept through the town of Oglala. Spotters and law enforcement reported that the tornado went up and down several times. It remained on the ground just prior to hitting Oglala and then dissipated as it moved to the northeast. There was one fatality with 54 people receiving ... | F2 15 mi x 875 yd | 1 | 54 | $5.7M |
| 2006-04-17 | Thunderstorm WindOglala Lakota County A mobile home, west of Oglala, was destroyed by outflow winds from a nearby thunderstorm. The strong broadside winds caused the mobile home to roll over with several people inside. Five people were injured and there was one fatality. | 61 kt wind | 1 | 5 | $29K |
| 2001-06-09 | LightningPine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County Two teenagers on horseback encountered a thunderstorm as they were traveling from Pine Ridge to Manderson. One rider told authorities he was knocked unconscious after seeing a bright flash of light. When he awoke, he found his riding partner on the ground, not breathing or moving. One fatality (direct) and one injury ... | 1 | 1 | $2K | |
| 2012-07-21 | Thunderstorm WindOglala Lakota County Two mobile homes were rolled and completely destroyed, with all their contents scattered by the wind. A stick-built house lost a large portion of its roof. Twelve transformer poles were broken. | 61 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $193K |
| 1998-07-03 | Flash FloodManderson, Oglala Lakota County HEAVY RAINS WASHED OUT A PORTION OF BIA ROAD #33 AND TWO AGENCY OFFICIERS DROVE INTO THE WASH OUT. | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 1984-06-21 | TornadoOglala Lakota County | F1 | 0 | 2 | $25K step |
| 2020-07-10 | Thunderstorm WindSharps Corner, Oglala Lakota County Extensive roof and structural damage occurred at the Porcupine Dialysis Center, with one minor injury. | 61 kt wind | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2003-05-31 | Thunderstorm WindPine Ridge, Oglala Lakota County Strong winds blew over and destroyed a mobile home near Slim Butte. An 18 year old man inside the home was injured. Another mobile home nearby had its roof ripped off. | 65 kt wind | 0 | 1 | $32K |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-06-04 | TornadoSlim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | F2 15 mi x 875 yd | 1 | 54 | $5.7M |
| 2026-06-02 | Flash FloodSlim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2026-06-02 | FloodSlim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | 0 | 0 | $1.3M | |
| 2008-11-05 | BlizzardOglala Lakota County · forecast zone Oglala Lakota | 0 | 0 | $1.0M | |
| 2019-03-17 | FloodSlim Butte, Oglala Lakota County | 0 | 0 | $577K | |
| 2009-03-23 | BlizzardOglala Lakota County · forecast zone Oglala Lakota | 0 | 0 | $413K | |
| 2013-08-30 | Thunderstorm WindPine Ridge Airport, Oglala Lakota County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $380K |
| 2012-07-21 | Thunderstorm WindOglala Lakota County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 3 | $193K |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 21, 1984 (tornado, Oglala Lakota County); August 6, 1956 (tornado, Oglala Lakota County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Oglala Lakota County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 33 | 112 | 124 | 66 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 76 | 132 | 77 |
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 13 | 25 | 57 | 35 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 7 | 17 | 26 | 17 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 3 | 15 | 8 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
60% of its hail reports since 1980 fell in June and July. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 26 · Feb 29 · Mar 44 · Apr 51 · May 101 · Jun 228 · Jul 188 · Aug 148 · Sep 18 · Oct 20 · Nov 20 · Dec 32 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Oglala Lakota County
FEMA's register lists 16 declarations that include Oglala Lakota County: 12 major disasters, 3 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for severe storm (6) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-02-27 | DR-4689 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| 2020-04-05 | DR-4527 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3475 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2019-06-07 | DR-4440 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| 2015-07-30 | DR-4233 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| 2013-11-08 | DR-4155 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| 2013-05-10 | DR-4115 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2012-09-01 | FM-5010 | Fire | Wellnitz Fire |
| 2010-03-09 | DR-1886 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 2008-12-12 | DR-1811 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| 2005-09-10 | EM-3234 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2000-05-19 | DR-1330 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides |
| 1999-06-09 | DR-1280 | Tornado | Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding |
| 1997-04-07 | DR-1173 | Flood | Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,Heavy Rains High Winds |
| 1997-01-10 | DR-1156 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
| 1976-06-17 | EM-3015 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
Next
- Tornadoes in South DakotaEvery South Dakota tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Hail in South DakotaThe state's hail reports, by county, year and month
- The South Dakota recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- Download Oglala Lakota County's FEMA declarations (CSV)16 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis