Sheridan County, North Dakota
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 38083 · population 1,265 · 972 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 331 records for Sheridan County, North Dakota from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 286 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (99 records). 202 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The most damaging was the April 4, 1997 blizzard ($1.8 million in 2025 dollars). FEMA has issued 22 declarations naming the county since 1969, 20 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds” on September 11, 2025.
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
- 331on 286 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 03 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $13Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 19strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 22latest 2025
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 Sheridan County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 99 since 1996. 43% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The rank column places the county among North 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 99 | 95 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $6.1M | 25 of 53 |
| Hail | 64 | 49 | 1966-2025 | 0 | 1 | $408K | 51 of 53 |
| High wind and dust storms | 53 | 52 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $67K | 12 of 53 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 38 | 33 | 1957-2026 | 0 | 0 | $478K | 51 of 53 |
| Extreme cold | 36 | 35 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 1 | – | 22 of 53 |
| Tornadoes | 19 | 15 | 1959-2025 | 0 | 1 | $5.3M | 36 of 53 |
| Drought | 11 | 11 | 2021-2022 | 0 | 0 | – | 20 of 53 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 8 | 8 | 2005-2023 | 0 | 0 | $242K | 18 of 53 |
| Floods | 2 | 2 | 1999-2019 | 0 | 0 | $519K | 51 of 53 |
| Heat | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | – | 23 of 53 |
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 Sheridan County had?
NOAA records 19 tornadoes in Sheridan County from 1959 to 2025, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 1 injury 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 Sheridan County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 19: they file a crossing tornado once per county segment, and the two databases differ on some tracks); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in North Dakota.
Every tornado record filed for Sheridan County (19)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-14 | Martin, Sheridan County | EFU 1.25 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | Pickardville, Sheridan County | EFU 2.17 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | Denhoff, Sheridan County | EFU 0.97 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | Denhoff, Sheridan County | EF2 12.89 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 0 | $750K |
| 2025-09-14 | Denhoff, Sheridan County | EFU 3.73 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2019-07-08 | Martin, Sheridan County | EF0 0.53 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2011-07-16 | Pickardville, Sheridan County | EF1 2.13 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-08-11 | Pickardville, Sheridan County | EF0 1.86 mi x 35 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2003-07-13 | Pickardville, Sheridan County | F1 21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $401K |
| 1999-06-06 | McClusky, Sheridan County | F0 0.5 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1996-07-28 | McClusky, Sheridan County | F1 8 mi x 15 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1991-09-15 | Sheridan County | F1 0.2 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1988-06-20 | Sheridan County | F1 0.8 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1985-05-30 | Sheridan County | F0 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1983-08-25 | Sheridan County | F1 2 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 0 | $250K step |
| 1976-06-11 | Sheridan County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 1966-06-24 | Sheridan County | 0 | 0 | $250K step | |
| 1965-05-20 | Sheridan County | F0 20 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1959-08-28 | Sheridan County | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Sheridan County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the September 14, 2025 tornado ($750,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
This tornado touched down south of Denhoff about three miles north of the Burleigh County line and moved in a northerly direction to the west of Highway 14. When the tornado reached about 6 miles south of Denhoff, it destroyed a 30 by 60 foot pole barn. A nearby barn had two skylights torn off the roof. Another nearby building had some minor damage. At this same property, a double wide mobile home propped up on a basement had the roof completely torn off and blown to the west side of the home. The southeast corner of this mobile home was also missing a wall. A car parked on the property was picked up and set down near the mobile home. Debris was scattered throughout the property and there was substantial tree damage, mostly snapped branches. About a mile south of Denhoff, a single wide mobile home was flipped. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1294762)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-27 | Thunderstorm WindPickardville, Sheridan County | 61 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindMartin, Sheridan County | 69 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-14 | Dust StormSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-03 | Heavy SnowSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-12 | High WindSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 38 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-18 | BlizzardSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-09 | High WindSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 35 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoMartin, Sheridan County | EFU 1.25 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoPickardville, Sheridan County | EFU 2.17 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoDenhoff, Sheridan County | EFU 0.97 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoDenhoff, Sheridan County | EF2 12.89 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 0 | $750K |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoDenhoff, Sheridan County | EFU 3.73 mi x 100 yd | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-05-21 | HailMcClusky, Sheridan County One 60 year old female was injured by hail while outside. She heard the severe thunderstorm warning and went outside to secure property in anticipation of the storm. Golf ball size hail fell from a mostly sunny sky, hitting her in the head. She required 8 stiches to her forehead. The large hail was falling miles away ... | 1.75 in hail | 0 | 1 | – |
| 2003-07-13 | TornadoPickardville, Sheridan County The tornado crossed the McLean/Sheridan county line and moved east southeast impacting the town of Pickardville. Numerous buildings and grain elevators were damaged in the small community. One young boy was injured after being thrown to the ground and hit by flying debris. | F1 21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $401K |
| 2003-03-08 | Cold/Wind ChillSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan Two young adults, one female, the other male, were hospitalized for severe frostbite to the hands and feet Saturday eveningof March 8th. Temperatures ranged from 5 below to 10 below zero and wind chills between 25 below to 35 below zero.The first victim was a 16 year old female, who became snowbound in her vehicle. ... | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-04-04 | BlizzardSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 0 | 0 | $1.8M | |
| 2010-04-02 | Winter StormSheridan County · forecast zone Sheridan | 0 | 0 | $947K | |
| 2025-09-14 | TornadoDenhoff, Sheridan County | EF2 12.89 mi x 800 yd | 0 | 0 | $750K |
| 2019-09-20 | Flash FloodGoodrich, Sheridan County | 0 | 0 | $519K | |
| 2003-07-13 | TornadoPickardville, Sheridan County | F1 21 mi x 40 yd | 0 | 1 | $401K |
| 2019-08-25 | HailMcClusky, Sheridan County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $202K |
| 2022-06-13 | Thunderstorm WindMartin, Sheridan County | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $202K |
| 2016-07-20 | HailMcClusky, Sheridan County | 2.50 in hail | 0 | 0 | $86K |
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 $250K, in the dollars of the day) holds: June 24, 1966 (tornado, Sheridan County); August 25, 1983 (tornado, Sheridan County); June 20, 1988 (tornado, Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 18 | 30 | 35 | 16 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 18 | 10 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 2 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 13 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 10 | 20 | 4 |
| Tornadoes | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
43% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 44 · Feb 28 · Mar 24 · Apr 19 · May 16 · Jun 35 · Jul 50 · Aug 32 · Sep 13 · Oct 15 · Nov 19 · Dec 36 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Sheridan County
FEMA's register lists 22 declarations that include Sheridan County: 20 major disasters, 2 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for severe storm (9) and flood (9).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-11 | DR-4888 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds |
| 2020-07-09 | DR-4553 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2020-04-01 | DR-4509 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3477 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2020-01-21 | DR-4475 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2013-07-12 | DR-4128 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2011-05-10 | DR-1981 | Flood | Flooding |
| 2010-04-21 | DR-1901 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 2009-03-24 | DR-1829 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| 2005-11-21 | DR-1616 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and/Or Near Record Snow |
| 2005-09-13 | EM-3247 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2001-05-28 | DR-1376 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, & Ground Saturation |
| 2000-06-27 | DR-1334 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation |
| 1999-06-08 | DR-1279 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Snow, Ice, Ground Saturation, Lanslides, Mudslides, and Tor |
| 1997-04-07 | DR-1174 | Flood | Severe Flooding,Severe Winter Storms, Snowmelt, Spring Rains |
| 1997-01-12 | DR-1157 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
| 1996-06-05 | DR-1118 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms,Flooding, & Ice Jams |
| 1995-05-16 | DR-1050 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation |
| 1994-07-01 | DR-1032 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding |
| 1993-07-26 | DR-1001 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
| 1979-04-26 | DR-581 | Flood | Severe Storms, Snowmelt & Flooding |
| 1969-04-18 | DR-256 | Flood | Flooding |
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.
How many floods has Sheridan County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 2 flood or flash flood records for Sheridan County from 1999 to 2019, on 2 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Sheridan County ranks 2590th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $140,000 on 5 claims filed in Sheridan County; the most in one year was 5 in 2009. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
2009: 5; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Sheridan County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Sheridan County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.2 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $1.1M | 2.5 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $243K | 21 a year (modeled) |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate | $302K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low | $1.0M | 20 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $145K | once in about 2,640 years (modeled) |
| Drought | Very Low | $14K | 14 modeled event-days a year |
| Tornado | Very Low | $401K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | $133K | 1.3 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Sheridan County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in North DakotaEvery North Dakota tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in North DakotaThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The North Dakota recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Sheridan CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Sheridan County's FEMA declarations (CSV)22 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis