Storm Events Database
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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | F4 |
| -- Length | 7 Miles |
| -- Width | 1600 Yards |
| State | SOUTH DAKOTA |
| County/Area | MCCOOK |
| WFO | FSD |
| Report Source | NWS STORM SURVEY |
| NCEI Data Source | PDC |
| Begin Date | 1998-05-30 19:38 CST |
| Begin Location | 1NW SPENCER |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 43.75/-97.62 |
| End Date | 1998-05-30 19:52 CST |
| End Location | 4SW SALEM |
| End Lat/Lon | 43.70/-97.43 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 6/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 150/0 |
| Property Damage | 17M |
| Crop Damage | .4M |
| Event Narrative | 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. |
Event Fatality Details:
| Type | Age | Gender | Fatality Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death (Direct) | 77 | Female | Permanent Home |
| Death (Direct) | 93 | Female | Permanent Home |
| Death (Direct) | 68 | Female | Permanent Home |
| Death (Direct) | 62 | Male | Permanent Home |
| Death (Direct) | 85 | Female | Permanent Home |
| Death (Direct) | 70 | Female | Permanent Home |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 6 | 150 | 18.000M | 500.00K | |||||||
| FARMER | HANSON CO. | SD | 05/30/1998 | 19:26 | CST | Tornado | F3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000M | 100.00K |
| SPENCER | MCCOOK CO. | SD | 05/30/1998 | 19:38 | CST | Tornado | F4 | 6 | 150 | 17.000M | 400.00K |
| Totals: | 6 | 150 | 18.000M | 500.00K |
