The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 135 mph struck Jackson County during Saturday evening’s severe weather. The “White River Valley Event” followed a three-mile path north of the White River, crossing Highway 73 and Redstone Road. The twister snapped cottonwood trees and tore a newly manufactured home from its foundation, rolling it three times and injuring the two occupants.
The Kadoka Volunteer Fire Department reported widespread damage to homes, trees, and power lines. A semi-truck also overturned, temporarily closing Highway 73. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
Governor Larry Rhoden visited the area Sunday to assess the damage, meet with residents, and support recovery efforts. He highlighted the storm’s severity and shared updates on social media.
The storm’s origins trace back to Butte County, where tennis ball-sized hail and 80 mph winds were reported around 4 p.m. Saturday. By 6:25 p.m., grapefruit-sized hail shattered a deputy’s windshield in Jackson County. The NWS issued multiple tornado warnings and commended the effectiveness of early alerts and radar systems.
Multiple tornados were also reported in North East South Dakota Saturday night. Deuel County officials received reports of twisters north and west of Clear Lake, also in the Gary area and later in the Brandt and Toronto areas. Those storms did cause property damage and 2 reported injuries.
The agency continues to evaluate storm data, with final assessments pending review by NOAA. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to remain weather-aware and to have an emergency plan in place during tornado warnings.
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