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Sioux County, North Dakota

11 topographic sheets cover 6 settlements here.

Research this county

North Dakota within the United States
Sioux County within North Dakota

What the record shows

  • 31 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 6 populated places in this county; 6 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

2,605 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 2,605 of them, burning about 78,595 acres. 105 started naturally and 473 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined669
Arson/incendiarism473
Fireworks465
Debris and open burning318
Equipment and vehicle use227
Misuse of fire by a minor195
Natural105
Recreation and ceremony76
Other causes37
Smoking28
Power generation/transmission/distribution9
Railroad operations and maintenance3

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Two of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
5 July 2002Arson/incendiarism15,732 acresStanding Rock AgencyTENBROOK
29 June 2002Natural10,421 acresStanding Rock AgencyKRAFT-COM.
18 July 2006Natural9,499 acresStanding Rock AgencyLUND
4 July 2002Natural3,200 acresStanding Rock Agency32BRAVO
11 October 2015Arson/incendiarism2,896 acresStanding Rock AgencyCANNON BALL
5 April 2004Equipment and vehicle use2,543 acresStanding Rock AgencyFISCHER
21 September 2012Equipment and vehicle use2,282 acresStanding Rock AgencyCORN STALK
26 March 1999Smoking2,160 acresStanding Rock AgencySOLEN

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1956 to 2025

60 of 207 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 207 reports for this county, causing 2 deaths, 8 injuries and about $6,615,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail113
Thunderstorm Wind60
Tornado17
Flash Flood8
Flood5
Funnel Cloud3
Wildfire1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2019Flash FloodFt Yates2 killed, 2 hurt, $750,000Flash flooding resulted in a section of BIA Road 3, locally known as the Kenel Road which connects with ND Highway 1806, being washed out at the crossing with Joe Bush Creek. The culvert washed out and the road collapsed. Four vehicles drove into the washout and resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.
July 2010HailCannon Ball2 hurt, $1,500,000A North Dakota state record tying hailstone of five inches in diameter fell at Prairie Knights Casino and Resort. The resort, and all vehicles outside, sustained severe damage from the extreme hail. One of these large hail stones crashed through the windshield of a car, injuring the two occupants. This tied the record size five inch diameter hailstone in Mercer County on August 3, 1969.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindSelfridge2 hurtIn the small community of Porcupine, a trailer home was destroyed by the wind. Two occupants in the home received minor injuries.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSelfridge1 hurt, $250,000Damage survey revealed that a microburst struck this property and completely destroyed a manufactured home which rolled onto a vehicle crushing the roof and partially damaging another vehicle. Parts of the home were blown into a barn, severely damaging it. The debris pattern was divergent in nature, and orientated toward the east/southeast. Two people were in the home at the time. One was injured (direct) and hospitalized.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindCannon Ball1 hurt, $80,000One person was injured and hospitalized as three mobile homes were blown over and damage was sustained to one permanent home.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindCannonball$850,000no account filed
July 2010HailCannon Ball$750,000This was the first of three waves of very large hail to impact the city of Cannon Ball during this episode. Severe damage to vehicles, homes, and crops occurred.
July 1994HailLemmon SD$500,000The same storm that went through Adams County damaged 59,000 acres of cropland, 50 to 60 houses, and 55 cars in a lot.
March 2009FloodSelfridge$264,000Cedar Creek and the Cannonball River flooded. Overland flooding damaged state, county and township roads. Two homes were flooded. Flooding continued into April.
May 2013Flash FloodSolen$250,000Torrential rain, with reports up to six inches, resulted in a flash flood over central Sioux County. The reports were consistent with Doppler Radar rain estimates. State Highway 6 was closed due to a foot of water flowing rapidly over the road at mile marker 18. Numerous county and tribal roads were flooded and had severe wash outs. Culverts were washed completely out in some cases.
June 2011FloodSolen$250,000See the event episode narrative for details.
April 2009FloodSelfridge$166,000Additional overland flooding and flooding along the Cedar Creek from snowmelt resulted in further damage to local and county roads.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$150,000A large barn was blown over, and heavy tree damage occurred.
July 2010HailCannon Ball$100,000This was the second wave of very large hail to impact Cannon Ball during this episode, resulting in further damage to homes, vehicles, and crops.
July 2010HailSolen$100,000Damage amounts were estimated based on the extreme hail size.
July 2007Thunderstorm WindSolen$75,000NWS storm survey completed for this event. Damage to outbuildings, grain bins, horse trailer, picnic benches, empty oil type drums, and other items on the farm. Storm survey determined the damage was caused by high thunderstorm wind gusts and not a tornado. Location 10 miles south and 1 east of Solen.
June 2005Flash FloodSelfridge$70,000no account filed
July 2010HailCannon Ball$50,000This was the third wave of large hail to impact the city of Cannon Ball during this episode.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindPorcupine$50,000roofs taken off several buildings and homes.
June 2005Flash FloodSelfridge$50,000no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$50,000no account filed
August 2006Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$40,000Grain bins overturned along with trees down and trees reported on top of cars.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindFt Yates$35,000Significant damage to a home that was on top of a hill.
August 2023HailSelfridge$30,000Large amount of one-inch diameter hail caused significant dents on a garage door and shattered a window on a home.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$25,000A roof of an outbuilding on the farm was damaged. An unattached horse trailer was pushed through a field.
May 2010Tornado (EF1)Selfridge$25,000A tornado touched down in western Sioux County and crossed into southwest Grant County. Damage was sustained to a roof on a farmstead in Sioux County. Based on a storm survey of the area damage was consistent with a low end EF1 tornado. From that it was determined that wind speeds were around 90 mph. The tornado crossed into Grant County. See the tornado entry for Grant County.
August 2020Thunderstorm WindCannon Ball$24,000Multiple power poles broke down in the area.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$20,000Severe tree damage occurred.
July 2016HailSelfridge$20,000no account filed
June 2005Flash FloodFt Yates$18,000Water up to 8 inches covered Highway 24.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$15,000The very strong winds tore a small deck off of a house.
June 1996Tornado (F0)Ft Yates$13,000no account filed
June 1996Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$10,000no account filed
August 2024Tornado (EF1)Selfridge$9,000The tornado touched down in an open field south of Selfridge and moved to the south-southeast. Along its path, the tornado broke three wooden power poles which appeared to be aged. The tornado then proceeded into an open field with no other structures impacted. Based on the damage done the tornado was rated EF-1, and from that winds were estimated to be approximately 100 MPH.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindFt Yates$5,000Multiple large trees were blown down.
May 2010Tornado (EF0)Ft Yates$5,000This tornado was not reported to the National Weather Service in real time. It was determined, based on information gathered, that this tornado formed north-northwest of Fort Yates, and moved northeast. There were no injuries. Reports indicate very minor damage to fences and a trailer home. There were no injuries. From that it was determined that this was an EF0 tornado with wind speeds then estimated, based on the EF Scale, at about 70 mph.
June 1999HailPorcupine$5,000automobles damage windowns broken.
June 1998Flash FloodFt Yates$3,000Secondary roads washed out 8 miles west of Selfridge. Water overtopped roads at many locations.
June 1983Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$2,000Large tree branches were broken.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindSelfridge$2,000A tree limb was broken and a flag pole was bent.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindCannon Ball$2,000Some road signs were blown down by the severe wind gusts.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by a trained spotter.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-Thunderstorm winds were estimated by the public.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by the public.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindFt Yates-Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated by a trained spotter.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-The public estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 70 mph.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-The public estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 70 mph.
August 2011FloodSolen-See the event episode narrative for details.
July 2011FloodSolen-See the event episode narrative for details.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindFt Yates-One inch in diameter hail was also reported.
July 2010HailSelfridge-Heavy rain accompanied quarter to ping pong sized hail.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-No hail was reported with the strong thunderstorm winds.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-Recorded at the Tatanka Prairie Remote Automated Weather Station.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindSelfridge-Estimated winds of 70 mph were reported.
June 2009Tornado (EF0)Ft Yates-A weak tornado briefly touched down in the open country of rural Sioux County. No structures were impacted and so no damage was reported.
June 2008HailSelfridge-No report of damage was received from this event.
June 2008HailSelfridge-Hail up to the size of golfballs lasted for ten minutes. No report of damage was received from this event.
June 2008HailSelfridge-No report of damage was received from this event.
June 2008HailSelfridge-Dime to quarter size hail was reported.

Mines and quarries

2 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 2 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 1 is closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction1
Clay1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Fisher Sand & Gravel Co PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
UnnamedClayPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

6

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • 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.