Tornadoes · United States · South Dakota
Tornadoes in Brown County, South Dakota
86 tornadoes have crossed Brown County since 1950, 1st of the 66 counties in South Dakota with a tornado on record, an average of 1.1 a year. They have killed 3 people and injured 35. 1 was rated F4 or EF4 and above.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The United States rated tornadoes on Ted Fujita’s F scale until 31 January 2007 and on the Enhanced Fujita scale after it. Both run from 0 to 5, and both rate the damage rather than measure the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
F0 / EF040 to 72 mph on the F scale, 65 to 85 mph on the EF scale
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
F1 / EF173 to 112 mph on the F scale, 86 to 110 mph on the EF scale
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
F2 / EF2113 to 157 mph on the F scale, 111 to 135 mph on the EF scale
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
F3 / EF3158 to 206 mph on the F scale, 136 to 165 mph on the EF scale
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
F4 / EF4207 to 260 mph on the F scale, 166 to 200 mph on the EF scale
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
F5 / EF5261 to 318 mph on the F scale, over 200 mph on the EF scale
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
Now
- Tornadoes
- 86
- Deaths
- 3
- Injuries
- 35
- F4 and above
- 1
- Worst on record
- F4, June 23, 2002
The deadliest in Brown County
The strongest
- F4, Brown County, South DakotaJune 23, 2002
- F3, Brown, Spink, Clark and Kingsbury counties, South DakotaJune 21, 1961
- F3, Brown and Marshall counties, South DakotaMay 31, 1996
- F3, Brown County, South DakotaJune 23, 2002
- F3, Brown County, South DakotaMay 20, 1965
- F3, Brown County, South DakotaJune 25, 1969
- F3, Brown County, South DakotaJuly 1, 1973
- F2, McPherson, Edmunds and Brown counties, South DakotaJune 28, 1961
- EF2, Edmunds, McPherson and Brown counties, South DakotaMay 22, 2010
- F2, Brown County, South DakotaJune 28, 1955
Every year with a tornado
The 43 years of the 76 in the record with a tornado in Brown County. Each year links to every tornado in South Dakota that year.
| Year | Tornadoes | Deaths | Injuries | Strongest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2022 | 3 | EF0 | ||
| 2020 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2017 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2012 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2010 | 2 | EF2 | ||
| 2008 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2007 | 1 | EF0 | ||
| 2005 | 5 | F1 | ||
| 2004 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 2002 | 5 | F4 | ||
| 2000 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1999 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1998 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1996 | 7 | 1 | F3 | |
| 1995 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1994 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1993 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1990 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 1987 | 1 | F1 | ||
| 1986 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1985 | 3 | F0 | ||
| 1984 | 3 | F1 | ||
| 1982 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1981 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1980 | 7 | F0 | ||
| 1979 | 1 | F1 | ||
| 1978 | 1 | 15 | F2 | |
| 1977 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 1975 | 3 | F1 | ||
| 1974 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1973 | 4 | 1 | 3 | F3 |
| 1972 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 1971 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1970 | 2 | F0 | ||
| 1969 | 2 | 6 | F3 | |
| 1966 | 2 | 1 | 3 | F2 |
| 1965 | 1 | F3 | ||
| 1961 | 2 | 1 | 7 | F3 |
| 1960 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1959 | 1 | F0 | ||
| 1957 | 3 | F0 | ||
| 1955 | 2 | F2 |
Every tornado that crossed Brown County
86 tornadoes, newest first.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2025 | 4:49 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 7, 2022 | 8:37 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.0 | 10 | |||
| May 7, 2022 | 8:15 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.0 | 10 | |||
| May 7, 2022 | 8:12 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.0 | 10 | |||
| June 7, 2020 | 8:30 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 5.3 | 50 | |||
| June 13, 2017 | 6:05 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 1, 2012 | 5:27 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.5 | 10 | |||
| May 22, 2010 | 9:10 PM CDT | EF2 | Brown | 1.3 | 100 | |||
| May 22, 2010 | 8:01 PM CDT | EF2 | Edmunds | 18.6 | 200 | |||
| August 14, 2008 | 3:35 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 15, 2007 | 11:18 PM CDT | EF0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 26, 2005 | 7:22 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| June 7, 2005 | 11:35 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 0.1 | 30 | |||
| June 7, 2005 | 11:20 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 0.1 | 30 | |||
| June 7, 2005 | 11:07 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 20 | |||
| May 8, 2005 | 4:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 25 | |||
| May 29, 2004 | 6:22 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 30 | |||
| May 29, 2004 | 6:08 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 23, 2002 | 8:30 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.0 | 50 | |||
| June 23, 2002 | 8:24 PM CDT | F4 | Brown | 9.0 | 900 | |||
| June 23, 2002 | 7:53 PM CDT | F3 | Brown | 10.0 | 900 | |||
| June 23, 2002 | 7:43 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 50 | |||
| June 23, 2002 | 7:34 PM CDT | F1 | McPherson | 5.0 | 500 | |||
| July 11, 2000 | 1:45 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 27, 1999 | 4:15 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.5 | 10 | |||
| June 26, 1998 | 4:00 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.2 | 30 | |||
| July 17, 1996 | 7:36 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 10 | |||
| May 31, 1996 | 6:21 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 10 | |||
| May 31, 1996 | 6:05 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 10 | |||
| May 31, 1996 | 5:52 PM CDT | F3 | Brown | 32.0 | 400 | 1 | $750,000 | |
| May 31, 1996 | 5:40 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.5 | 15 | |||
| May 31, 1996 | 5:30 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 1.0 | 50 | |||
| May 31, 1996 | 5:25 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 15 | |||
| July 16, 1995 | 2:45 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 18, 1994 | 7:30 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 22, 1993 | 10:25 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.5 | 30 | |||
| June 1, 1990 | 9:45 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 3.0 | 30 | |||
| June 1, 1990 | 9:15 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.3 | 20 | |||
| August 15, 1987 | 3:20 PM CDT | F1 | Spink | 5.0 | 50 | |||
| July 17, 1986 | 5:53 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 23 | |||
| August 22, 1985 | 10:52 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| July 17, 1985 | 11:15 AM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.2 | 10 | |||
| May 8, 1985 | 7:12 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| August 26, 1984 | 5:50 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| August 19, 1984 | 8:30 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| July 2, 1984 | 9:20 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 11, 1982 | 5:00 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| June 21, 1981 | 3:45 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| August 20, 1980 | 3:26 AM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 33 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| May 29, 1980 | 3:42 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 19, 1979 | 6:55 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | $500,000 to $5 million | ||
| June 15, 1978 | 11:45 PM CDT | F2 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | 15 | $50,000 to $500,000 | |
| July 10, 1977 | 10:35 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 22, 1977 | 3:30 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.6 | 13 | |||
| June 20, 1975 | 11:13 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 2.5 | 20 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 20, 1975 | 11:00 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 19, 1975 | 9:30 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| June 10, 1974 | 5:30 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 15.0 | 100 | |||
| August 31, 1973 | 4:47 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 1.7 | 50 | |||
| July 1, 1973 | 6:15 PM CDT | F3 | Brown | 0.3 | 30 | 1 | 3 | $5,000 to $50,000 |
| June 17, 1973 | 6:15 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 15, 1973 | 6:30 PM CDT | F1 | Brown | 1.0 | 13 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| July 25, 1972 | 6:58 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 19, 1972 | 5:45 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| July 5, 1971 | 8:05 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 16, 1970 | 7:10 PM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 15, 1970 | 12:15 AM CDT | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 25, 1969 | 6:00 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 25, 1969 | 4:15 PM GMT-5 | F3 | Brown | 1.5 | 133 | 6 | $50,000 to $500,000 | |
| July 31, 1966 | 9:00 PM GMT-5 | F2 | Brown | 2.3 | 253 | 1 | 3 | $50,000 to $500,000 |
| June 24, 1966 | 10:30 PM GMT-5 | F1 | Brown | 5.9 | 10 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| May 20, 1965 | 5:45 PM GMT-5 | F3 | Brown | 3.8 | 400 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| June 28, 1961 | 7:30 PM GMT-5 | F2 | McPherson | 49.7 | 10 | $50,000 to $500,000 | ||
| June 21, 1961 | 3:30 PM GMT-5 | F3 | Brown | 156.3 | 10 | 1 | 7 | $500 to $5,000 |
| June 26, 1960 | 8:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | $500 to $5,000 | ||
| June 16, 1959 | 6:45 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | |||
| June 13, 1957 | 4:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| June 13, 1957 | 4:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| June 12, 1957 | 9:30 PM GMT-5 | F0 | Brown | 0.1 | 10 | under $50 | ||
| June 28, 1955 | 7:30 PM GMT-5 | F2 | Brown | 5.4 | 50 | $5,000 to $50,000 | ||
| April 19, 1955 | 6:00 PM GMT-6 | F2 | Brown | 4.6 | 50 | $50 to $500 |
Nearby
Warnings in force in Brown CountyThe forecast for Brown CountyThe live radar over Brown CountyEvery county in South Dakota
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.