Hartford, SD Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Hartford is about the same as South Dakota average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Hartford is much higher than South Dakota average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #215
| Hartford, SD | 0.03 |
| 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
| Hartford, 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, #46
| Hartford, SD | 217.89 |
| 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 3,285 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Hartford, 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: | 42 | Cold: | 11 | Dense Fog: | 1 | Drought: | 11 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 240 | Hail: | 1,629 | Heat: | 3 | Heavy Snow: | 50 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 9 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 43 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,082 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 1 | Winter Storm: | 35 | Winter Weather: | 73 |
| Other: | 55 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Hartford, SD.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 1 historical earthquake event that had a recorded magnitude of 3.5 or above found in or near Hartford, SD.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 29.1 | 1982-07-11 | 3.6 | 5 | 44.01 | -96.72 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 78 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Hartford, SD.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1.8 | 1962-05-12 | 2 | 43°32'N / 96°59'W | 43°41'N / 96°58'W | 10.10 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Minnehaha |
| 7.7 | 1964-06-22 | 2 | 43°29'N / 96°50'W | 43°38'N / 96°48'W | 10.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 10.1 | 1956-08-08 | 2 | 43°33'N / 96°46'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Minnehaha | |||
| 12.4 | 2008-06-05 | 2 | 43°43'N / 96°46'W | 43°45'N / 96°44'W | 3.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Minnehaha |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado caused damage to silos, farm buildings, power lines, and numerous trees. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced numerous events of tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds over southeast South Dakota from late morning through the evening of June 5th. The thunderstorms also produced heavy rain which resulted in flash flooding at several locations. | |||||||||||
| 12.6 | 1965-05-08 | 2 | 43°46'N / 96°49'W | 43°49'N / 96°54'W | 4.50 Miles | 10 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Clay |
| 13.8 | 1992-06-16 | 2 | 43°47'N / 96°56'W | 43°51'N / 96°51'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Minnehaha |
| 15.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 15.5 | 1954-06-19 | 3 | 43°29'N / 96°43'W | 43°30'N / 96°40'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lincoln | ||
| 15.5 | 1966-05-22 | 2 | 43°24'N / 97°00'W | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Turner | |||
| 17.0 | 1992-08-09 | 2 | 43°52'N / 96°56'W | 3.00 Miles | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lake | |
| 17.3 | 1957-06-10 | 2 | 43°51'N / 97°05'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lake | |||
| 18.4 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 43°23'N / 97°08'W | 43°24'N / 97°08'W | 1.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3.0M | 0 | Turner |
| Brief Description: A tornado heavily damaged or destroyed numerous structures at the county fairgrounds, uprooted numerous trees, and blew down power lines, resulting in power outages which lasted up to a day. The tornado damaged other structures in Parker including homes and the county courthouse. One home was shifted off its foundation and received broken windows and damaged siding. Some of the damage resulted from falling trees or wind blown debris. | |||||||||||
| 18.6 | 1987-07-11 | 2 | 43°50'N / 96°44'W | 43°50'N / 96°42'W | 5.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Minnehaha |
| 20.8 | 1956-05-10 | 2 | 43°25'N / 97°15'W | 1.30 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Turner | |
| 21.0 | 1954-06-18 | 2 | 43°25'N / 97°16'W | 43°28'N / 97°18'W | 2.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Turner |
| 22.3 | 1986-04-26 | 2 | 43°18'N / 96°40'W | 43°24'N / 96°44'W | 5.00 Miles | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 22.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 22.5 | 1971-10-01 | 2 | 43°33'N / 97°23'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Mccook | |||
| 23.7 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 23.9 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 43°14'N / 96°56'W | 43°19'N / 96°59'W | 7.00 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Turner |
| Brief Description: A tornado, after crossing into Turner County from Lincoln County, heavily damaged farm buildings, including one farm home demolished, and roof and window damage to at least two other farm homes. The tornado also caused an unknown amount of crop damage. | |||||||||||
| 24.0 | 1965-06-07 | 2 | 43°25'N / 97°20'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Turner | |||
| 24.4 | 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 |
| 25.2 | 1986-04-26 | 2 | 43°16'N / 96°55'W | 43°15'N / 96°51'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lincoln |
| 25.3 | 2000-07-11 | 2 | 43°58'N / 97°10'W | 43°57'N / 97°07'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 50K | 0 | Lake |
| Brief Description: A tornado destroyed storage sheds, lighting, fencing, and caused other damage at Lake County Speedway. The tornado also damaged crops over a small area. | |||||||||||
| 25.5 | 1993-05-07 | 2 | 43°28'N / 96°29'W | 43°31'N / 96°27'W | 1.50 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 500K | 0 | Lyon |
| Brief Description: Border Crosser, went into Minnehaha County, SD at 1500CST. Intense thunderstorms developed ahead of an approaching cold front. This line was the first wave of storms to form. The bulk of the severe weather passed to the west and north of Iowa. One very large cell formed over the northwest corner of the state. It produced a tornado northwest of Larchwood, in the northwest corner of Lyon County. Buildings were damaged on three farms. A total of 10 buildings were destroyed as well as two silos. On one of the farms, the owner watched as a 1500 pound fertilizer tank was lifted 50 feet into the air and blew past his window. Total damage to the three farmsteads affected amounted to about $200,000. The only injury that occurred was to a bull on one of the farms. The bull sustained a broken leg. The tornado passed into southeast South Dakota shortly after this damage occurred. It was a border crossing tornado. | |||||||||||
| 25.6 | 1986-04-26 | 2 | 43°14'N / 96°56'W | 43°16'N / 96°55'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Turner |
| 26.2 | 1956-06-29 | 2 | 44°00'N / 96°58'W | 44°00'N / 96°53'W | 3.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Lake |
| 26.9 | 1964-06-22 | 2 | 43°07'N / 96°53'W | 43°21'N / 96°53'W | 16.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 28.3 | 1985-04-20 | 2 | 43°11'N / 97°14'W | 43°18'N / 97°05'W | 12.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Turner |
| 28.4 | 1969-06-25 | 2 | 43°40'N / 96°25'W | 43°51'N / 96°24'W | 12.30 Miles | 120 Yards | 0 | 5 | 250K | 0 | Rock |
| 28.8 | 1965-05-24 | 2 | 44°00'N / 97°11'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lake | |||
| 29.4 | 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 |
| 29.4 | 1956-06-29 | 2 | 44°00'N / 96°53'W | 44°02'N / 96°34'W | 15.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Moody |
| 29.9 | 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 | |||||||||||
| 30.1 | 1965-06-07 | 4 | 43°11'N / 97°13'W | 43°14'N / 97°04'W | 7.80 Miles | 647 Yards | 1 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Turner |
| 30.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 30.4 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 30.9 | 1981-08-03 | 3 | 43°17'N / 97°09'W | 43°06'N / 97°05'W | 12.80 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Turner |
| 32.1 | 2003-06-24 | 2 | 43°08'N / 96°58'W | 43°11'N / 97°03'W | 7.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Turner |
| Brief Description: A tornado damaged farm buildings and equipment, as well as crops, trees, and power lines. | |||||||||||
| 32.6 | 1965-05-24 | 2 | 44°00'N / 97°10'W | 44°07'N / 97°13'W | 7.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lake |
| 33.4 | 1986-04-26 | 2 | 43°21'N / 96°23'W | 43°27'N / 96°19'W | 9.50 Miles | 70 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lyon |
| 33.6 | 1973-07-01 | 2 | 43°50'N / 97°33'W | 0.50 Mile | 67 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25K | 0 | Mccook | |
| 33.8 | 1965-06-07 | 4 | 43°10'N / 97°14'W | 43°11'N / 97°13'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Yankton | ||
| 34.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 34.3 | 1970-07-14 | 2 | 43°10'N / 96°48'W | 43°07'N / 96°44'W | 3.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 1 | 1 | 25.0M | 0 | Lincoln |
| 34.5 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 34.7 | 1956-06-29 | 2 | 43°44'N / 96°16'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Rock | |||
| 35.8 | 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 |
| 36.3 | 1978-07-06 | 2 | 43°28'N / 96°24'W | 43°26'N / 96°07'W | 14.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lyon |
| 36.5 | 1965-06-07 | 2 | 43°04'N / 97°02'W | 43°07'N / 96°52'W | 8.60 Miles | 210 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Clay |
| 36.8 | 1969-06-25 | 2 | 43°51'N / 96°24'W | 44°06'N / 96°23'W | 17.00 Miles | 120 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Pipestone |
| 36.9 | 1965-06-07 | 2 | 43°08'N / 97°20'W | 43°10'N / 97°15'W | 3.60 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Turner |
| 36.9 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 37.1 | 1970-06-15 | 3 | 44°09'N / 96°57'W | 44°10'N / 96°54'W | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lake | ||
| 37.9 | 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 |
| 38.1 | 1970-07-01 | 2 | 43°09'N / 96°36'W | 43°08'N / 96°32'W | 2.30 Miles | 1320 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lincoln |
| 38.7 | 1954-06-18 | 3 | 43°03'N / 97°19'W | 43°08'N / 97°05'W | 12.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Yankton |
| 40.1 | 1984-06-07 | 2 | 44°01'N / 97°32'W | 0.10 Mile | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Miner | |
| 40.3 | 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 |
| 41.5 | 1954-06-19 | 2 | 43°17'N / 96°18'W | 43°15'N / 96°15'W | 2.30 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lyon |
| 42.0 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 42.6 | 2008-05-01 | 2 | 43°08'N / 96°18'W | 43°15'N / 96°22'W | 9.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0.5M | 0K | Sioux |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado damaged numerous trees, including large trees uprooted, blew windows out of a home, destroyed a metal shed, blew two windows and part of a wall out of a metal building, damaged at least three grain bins, destroyed or damaged numerous outbuildings and small sheds, blew down or snapped off at least 15 power poles, bent a metal light pole, tipped one wagon and blew the top off another, blew down a barb wire fence and pushed fence posts almost to the ground, destroyed a hog barn, and flattened corn stubble, before crossing the county line into Lyon County. Contents inside several damaged or destroyed buildings and sheds were also damaged, especially on one farm where damaged buildings housed a farm and trucking business. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Thunderstorms produced 5 confirmed tornadoes over extreme northwest Iowa during the early evening hours of May 1st. One large long track tornado caused considerable damage, while the other 4 tornadoes were short lived and weak. | |||||||||||
| 44.1 | 1961-06-21 | 3 | 44°00'N / 97°05'W | 44°31'N / 96°43'W | 39.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Minnehaha |
| 44.4 | 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 |
| 44.6 | 1987-07-07 | 2 | 43°04'N / 96°37'W | 43°01'N / 96°29'W | 6.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Union |
| 45.2 | 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. | |||||||||||
| 45.7 | 1984-06-05 | 2 | 43°20'N / 97°46'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Hutchinson | |||
| 45.8 | 1965-06-26 | 3 | 42°58'N / 97°49'W | 43°25'N / 97°28'W | 35.60 Miles | 163 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Bon Homme |
| 46.9 | 1985-04-20 | 3 | 43°54'N / 96°06'W | 43°55'N / 96°05'W | 0.80 Mile | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Pipestone |
| 47.9 | 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 |
| 48.6 | 1987-07-07 | 2 | 43°01'N / 96°29'W | 43°00'N / 96°27'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Sioux |
| 48.7 | 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 |
| 48.7 | 2007-05-05 | 2 | 43°06'N / 97°36'W | 43°06'N / 97°36'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Yankton |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado destroyed 3 concrete silos, destroyed numerous outbuildings, heavily damaged a large shed, damaged a barn, caused tree damage, and caused other damage on a farm. 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. | |||||||||||
| 48.8 | 1972-08-05 | 2 | 43°01'N / 97°27'W | 0.30 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Yankton | |
| 49.0 | 1954-06-18 | 3 | 43°02'N / 97°30'W | 43°01'N / 97°27'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Yankton | ||
| 49.1 | 1965-06-07 | 3 | 42°55'N / 96°48'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Union | |||
| 49.5 | 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 |
| 49.7 | 1992-06-16 | 3 | 44°21'N / 97°07'W | 44°19'N / 97°04'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Brookings |
* 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.