Preliminary Deuel County Tornado Ratings

The National Weather Service survey team has been in Deuel County and reported four tornadoes within the county on Saturday. The strongest tornado was reported southwest of Gary, which caused two non-life-threatening injuries and significant damage to structures. The tornado was given a preliminary rating of an EF-3 with winds between 136 to 165mph and traveled 6.85 miles.

Photo Credit: Tristan Molitor - Near Clear Lake, SD

Another tornado was reported near 181st Street, southwest of Gary, causing tree damage and creating winds between 86 and 110 mph, which gave this tornado an EF-1 rating. This tornado was on the ground for about half a mile.

The first tornado that started the event was given an EF-2 rating and touched down about five miles northwest of Clear Lake. Trees were uprooted, and several structures were destroyed. This tornado did not travel far, remaining on the ground for less than a mile.

Lastly, eyewitnesses reported a tornado near Lake Coteau, with road signs in the area twisted and damaged. This tornado has not been thoroughly surveyed.

National Weather Damage Survey:

A tornado touched down in a field roughly 6 miles southwest of Gary on the south side of State Highway 22. The track continued east where a few large trees were broken and machine damage was reported near a gravel pit. The track continued east to 483rd Ave

where a shed roof collapsed in addition to some more tree damage. The tornado then crossed State Highway 22, bringing down a power pole along the way. It continued east until it reached a farmstead on 484th avenue. The tornado tracked just north, but still took

part of the roof off of the house, collapsed a machine shed, and destroyed a garage. Significant tree damage was recorded, including trunks snapped, trees uprooted, and large branches snapped. Track continued east, north of another farm where the only damage was the loss of a shed. The tornado then hit a third farmstead head on, completely destroying the house, multiple barns, multiple silos, a garage, and a machine shed. Cars and large farm vehicles were uplifted and thrown up to roughly 300 yards. 2 non-life threatening injuries were sustained by the residents of this household sheltering in the basement. At this

location, the tornado become nearly stationary before slowly tracking eastward. The tornado continued in the field, snapping a few more trees. No further damage was evident after this point, and there is no evidence that the tornado crossed 486th Avenue.

A brief tornado touched down near the intersection of 181st street and 485th avenue 3 miles southwest of Gary. Tree damage was observed, including snapped tree trunks and large branches down. Hay was also observed hanging from the nearby power lines.

A tornado touched down 5 miles northwest of Clear Lake in a pasture just west of a farmstead. Trees were snapped and uprooted leading up to the property. Once it reached the abandoned home on the property, the tornado caused the house to move off its

foundation. While there, the tornado also destroyed a stone silo, and shed, and flipped a shipping container. From there the tornado continued northeast, damaging a few more trees and crossing 178th street. There is no evidence of further damage after this point.

Eyewitness accounts of a tornado were reported near Lake Coteau, with reported damage of twisted road signs in the area. This tornado has not been fully surveyed at this time.