Seneca, Missouri
16 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1907 and the latest in 1986. It stands in Seneca Township. It lies in ZIP code area 64865. It stands on Little Lost Creek. The Survey maps it on the Seneca quadrangle. 2,230 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 846 feet above sea level.
Research this city
Topographic sheets covering this place
8 surveys from 16 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1907 USGS Wyandotte quadrangle1:125000, 2 printings
- 1909 USGS Wyandotte quadrangle1:125000, 2 printings
- 1949 USGS Seneca quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1950 USGS Seneca quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1954 USGS Tulsa quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1958 USGS Tulsa quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1963 USGS Tulsa quadrangle1:250000
- 1986 USGS Neosho quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Fires near this place
78 since 1992Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 78 fires within 5 miles of Seneca between 1992 and 2020, burning about 2,209 acres in total. 10 started naturally. 14 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 31 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 18 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 14 |
| Natural | 10 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 4 |
| Other causes | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 September 1995 | Equipment and vehicle use | 38 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | not named |
| 4 September 2000 | Debris and open burning | 3.0 acres | Miami Agency | MODOC |
| 7 August 2011 | Arson/incendiarism | 200 acres | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | 30427 |
| 30 August 1995 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 25 acres | Oklahoma Division of Forestry | not named |
| 20 July 2013 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Miami Agency | INTERTRIBAL |
| 17 July 2020 | Debris and open burning | 1.2 acres | Missouri Department of Conservation | 230836-07355-07172020-1544 |
| 10 July 2012 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Miami Agency | BLUEJACKET |
| 8 May 2010 | Equipment and vehicle use | 1.4 acres | Miami Agency | EAST BUNKER |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Mines and quarries near this place
9 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 9 workings within 5 miles of Seneca: 8 past producers, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Lead, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Stone, Crushed/Broken, Diatomite. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Standard Tripoli Mine | Diatomite | Producer | ||
| Unknown - Tripoli | Silica | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown - Zn & Pb | Zinc, Lead | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Limestone Pit | Stone, Crushed/Broken | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown Gravel Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Past Producer | ||
| Potwin & Holmes Mine | Lead | Past Producer | ||
| Sibley Diggings | Lead | Past Producer | ||
| Unknown - Pb | Lead | Past Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 80 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Seneca in 80 storm reports between 1993 and 2024: 29 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 16 flash flood, 5 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $3,000,000 | Severe thunderstorm wind gusts ranging between 60 and 80 mph caused widespread damage to trees, power poles, and structures across much of Newton County. A roof was destroyed on a mobile home located near the intersection of Iris Road and Highway NN. Rain fell into the home, destroying the rest of the structure. In Diamond there were two buisinesses that had significant roof damage. The Dollar General Store in Neosho sustained roof damage and allowed water to enter the store. One building was destroyed at a fiberglass company in Neosho. A few thousand residences had lost power due to fallen power poles and lines. |
| June 2019 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $580,000 | Several post on social media showed flooding in downtown Seneca with water entering some businesses. The dollar damage amount is a summary for all damages in Newton County for this event. |
| May 2011 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $500,000 | Forty homes were flooded. Twenty-five individuals had to be rescued. Numerous businesses were flooded. |
| May 2011 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $500,000 | Numerous small businesses and houses were flooded in the center of town. |
| May 2015 | Tornado (EF0) | Seneca | $200,000 | A NWS Storm survey found an EF-1 tornado started in northeast Oklahoma and crossed into southwest Missouri near about 4 miles south of Seneca. The tornado lifted about 4 miles west of Neosho. Several outbuilding structures were completely destroyed. Numerous trees were uprooted. The path width was approximately 200 yards wide and the path length was approximately 10 miles long. Maximum winds were estimated at 90 mph. |
| June 2021 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $150,000 | Evacuations of several homes along Lost Creek in the City of Seneca occurred as the creek rose rapidly out of its banks. Water was reported in basements and some businesses. No injuries were reported. |
| May 2013 | Tornado (EF1) | Seneca | $100,000 | An EF-1 tornado crossed over the Oklahoma and Missouri state line into Seneca. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted. Winds were estimated around 100 mph. |
| April 2016 | Tornado (EF1) | Seneca | $50,000 | A NWS storm survey confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down approximately two miles north of Seneca, Missouri. The path was approximately one mile long with a width of 150 yards. Maximum winds were estimated up to 90 mph. The tornado uprooted numerous trees and caused damage to a local church as well as a few homes in the area. |
| March 2008 | Tornado (EF1) | Seneca | $50,000 | This tornado is an extension of the Ottawa County, Oklahoma tornado. A National Weather Service storm survey revealed that an EF-1 tornado impacted sections of western Newton County. Several outbuildings were damaged and destroyed along with damage to several trees. |
| April 2001 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $50,000 | no account filed |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $30,000 | Several reports of large tree limbs and power lines downed in Seneca. |
| May 2011 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $25,000 | Eight inch water main ruptured due to flooding along Saint Louise Street near Eugene Street at Little Lost Creek. |
| May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $20,000 | Report of a roof blown off in Seneca at Highway 43. |
| June 2021 | Flash Flood | Seneca | $20,000 | Bethel Road south of Kentucky Road was washed out from heavy rainfall and flooding. |
| June 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $20,000 | no account filed |
| May 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $14,000 | A large tree took out several power lines in Seneca off Rhonda/Grand Avenue. |
| May 2015 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $10,000 | Numerous trees were damaged or blown down along with several power lines in Seneca. Minor damage occurred to several homes because of fallen large tree branches and trees. |
| April 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $5,000 | Several trees and power lines were blown down. |
| May 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $5,000 | Thunderstorm winds blew down several trees and power lines in a path from Seneca to Neosho. |
| April 1994 | Hail | Seneca | $5,000 | no account filed |
| November 1999 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $4,000 | no account filed |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $1,000 | Report of a large tree uprooted. |
| May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $1,000 | A portion of a large tree fell onto power lines. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds damaged an outbuilding. |
| October 1993 | Tornado (F1) | Seneca | $500 | A brief touchdown twisted trees off. |
| March 1994 | Hail | Seneca | $500 | no account filed |
| May 2024 | Hail | Seneca | - | Report of golf ball size hail. |
| May 2024 | Hail | Seneca | - | Social media report of golf ball size hail 3 miles south of Seneca on Missouri Highway 43 in Newton county. |
| August 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A trained spotter measured 70 mph winds. |
| July 2023 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Heavy rainfall caused multiple city streets to become flooded and impassable. |
| September 2023 | Hail | Seneca | - | Quarter sized hail was reported. |
| August 2023 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Heavy rainfall caused significant street flooding in town as the Lost and Little Lost Creeks rose out of their banks. |
| April 2022 | Hail | Seneca | - | Penny sized hail was reported. |
| March 2021 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Excessive rainfall along the Little Lost Creek basin caused flash flooding in Seneca. Numerous roads became impassable to motorists. |
| June 2021 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Excessive rainfall caused Lost Creek to flow out of its banks flooding Oneida and Main Streets in town. |
| September 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A large tree was blown over. Several large limbs fell onto a house. |
| March 2020 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Water was reported over the road in Seneca. |
| August 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | Numerous large branches were reported down. |
| February 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A large tree limb was reported down next to house via a social media picture. |
| August 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A tree was reported down at Highway 43 and Redbud Road. |
| August 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A tree was reported down at Highway K and Bluebird Drive. |
| May 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | There was damage to trees and a few buildings along Hottle Springs Road just south of Highway 60. |
| May 2017 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Highway 43 was flooded and closed. |
| August 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | Several large tree limbs were blown down in Seneca. |
| May 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | A tree fell down across a driveway. |
| March 2012 | Flood | Seneca | - | Two low water crossings were flooded near Seneca. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | Several trees were reported down in town. |
| July 2010 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | High water closed Missouri Highway 43 just north of Highway DD. |
| September 2009 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Flooding occurred near a tributary of Lost Creek from heavy rainfall. |
| September 2009 | Heavy Rain | Seneca | - | Rainfall total of 4.20 inches was measured. |
| May 2005 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Flash flooding occurred over several areas of Newton County caused by heavy thunderstorms. Some specific locations that were flooded include, low water crossings that cross Lost Creek, sections of Highway 43 around Seneca, and sections of Highway 86 near Neosho. |
| November 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | Squall line thunderstorms entered the western end of Newton County and caused severe wind damage along with dropping large hail near the community of Seneca. Several street signs and trees were downed. |
| January 1998 | Flash Flood | Seneca | - | Heavy rainfall of up to an inch caused flooding of low water bridges in the area. |
| July 1994 | Thunderstorm Wind | Seneca | - | The local police department reported wind gusts of 60 mph. |
| May 2017 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
| April 2013 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
| May 2011 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
| March 2010 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
| May 2010 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
| May 2009 | Hail | Seneca | - | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Seneca | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q953593 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 726201. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.







