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Tea, South Dakota

11 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1897 and the latest in 1985. It stands in Tea City. It lies in ZIP code area 57064. The Survey maps it on the Tea quadrangle. 5,598 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,490 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Tea within Lincoln County

On record in Tea

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Tea grew from 3,806 to 5,598 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20103,806
20205,598+1,792 (+47%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 11 printed sheets

Matched 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.

Fires near this place

62 since 1999

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 62 fires within 5 miles of Tea between 1999 and 2020, burning about 1,896 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 3 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 burning27
Missing data/not specified/undetermined25
Arson/incendiarism3
Fireworks3
Smoking2
Equipment and vehicle use1
Natural1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
4 August 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresSouth Dakota Wildland Fire SuppressionCLUBHOUSE
30 August 2014Debris and open burning20 acresSouth Dakota Wildland Fire SuppressionELM SPRINGS
7 July 2002Debris and open burning1.0 acresTea Volunteer Fire DepartmentGRASS FIRE
6 July 2002Debris and open burningunder an acreTea Volunteer Fire DepartmentDITCH FIRE
4 July 2017Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreSouth Dakota Wildland Fire SuppressionLN11536
4 July 2016Arson/incendiarismunder an acreSouth Dakota Wildland Fire SuppressionTEA471
4 July 2011Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreSouth Dakota Wildland Fire SuppressionCULBERT
4 July 2007Fireworks1.0 acresSouth Dakota Wildland Fire Suppressionnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Lincoln County

Mines and quarries near this place

1 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Tea: 1 past producer. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Lincoln County

Storms near this place

60 of 68 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Tea in 68 storm reports between 2000 and 2026: 27 hail, 18 thunderstorm wind, 11 flash flood, 5 tornado. The reports record 9 injuries. 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.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2019Tornado (EF2)Tea8 hurt, $6,800,000A tornado touched down around one quarter mile east of the intersection of Interstates 29 and 229, near the intersection of 69th Street and Tallgrass Avenue. The tornado tracked east-northeast for a quarter mile before it struck a building under construction, causing extensive damage to concrete and metal framing, and tossed a construction truck 200 yards into a tree. The tornado then damaged the Avera Heart and Behavioral Hospital Complex, where cars were displaced up to 100 feet and most windows were broken along with roof and facade damage to the hospital buildings. Eight people were injured by flying glass on the hospital complex. The tornado lifted about 400 yards to the east of the hospital. Average path width was estimated at 40 yards. Property damage costs are rough estimates.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindTea1 hurt, $500,000Thunderstorm winds caused widespread and severe tree, power line, and crop damage. The damage to power lines included several large transmission circuit structures one mile south of Tea being blown down along a half mile stretch. A resulting power outage lasted up to 4 hours and affected about 4,000 electrical customers. The tree damage included at least 3 trees, each 2 feet in diameter, being broken off 2 to 3 feet above the ground. One man's arm was broken when the winds tossed him and a garage door. The winds tore the roof off a paving business, destroyed several small sheds, and damaged several residential gardens. Several homes suffered minor roof and siding damage, some directly from the wind, and others from tree debris. The winds caused a semi truck to veer out of its lane and sideswipe a car on Interstate 29, after which the semi overturned. Several roads were blocked by tree debris.
June 2014FloodTea$1,500,000Persistent moderate to heavy rain caused flooding of fields and other lowlands, including several roads, homes, and businesses. This flooding lasted for almost two days, and was aggravated locally by additional storms during that time. Many roads throughout the county were damaged or washed out.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindTea$1,000,000Thunderstorm winds destroyed 70 feet of scaffolding at a Lewis and Clark regional water project.
April 2011FloodTea$100,000Minor to moderate flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of some lakes and lowlands in the county, continued through April, though flooding generally abated. Some farmland remained flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River. A few roads remained covered by water, and there was some road damage. High water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010, a main reason the flooding onset was so fast in March, was also a main reason that the flooding subsided so slowly during April.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindTea$50,000Thunderstorm winds heavily damaged a house and garage, and caused heavy tree damage. The winds also blew down power poles and lines. Three house fires were reported; it was not known if the fires were started by downed power lines or by lightning.
September 2019Thunderstorm WindTea$30,000Debris from a metal barn was blown a long distance, and multiple spruce trees were snapped by thunderstorm winds.
June 2009LightningTea$30,000Lightning struck an apartment building, starting a fire. Lightning also struck a day care center.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindTea$15,000Thunderstorm winds destroyed two empty grain bins and a storage building, blew windows out of cars, damaged the roof of two buildings, and blew several large branches down.
September 2016Flash FloodTea$10,000Heavy rain of up to 6 inches caused flash flooding in southern Sioux Falls, and near Tea and Harrisburg. Several streets were flooded, especially at intersections, and several vehicles stalled in the water. Ditches, yards, and parkland were also flooded. The flooding affected one elementary school.
July 2001Tornado (F0)Tea$10,000A tornado damaged farm buildings. The tornado moved northeast and crossed briefly into Minnehaha County before dissipating.
August 2015LightningTea$5,000Lightning strikes on two houses near each other started small fires.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindTea$1,000Thunderstorm winds snapped the pole of a stop sign.
April 2026HailTea-Hail varied from penny to quarter size.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm wind gusts were measured by a personal weather station.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindTea-Several 3 to 6 inch diameter limbs were taken down by thunderstorm winds.
June 2024Flash FloodTea-After rainfall of up to 3 to 4 inches during a couple hours around midnight, water on city streets in Tea flowed up to 18 inches deep in some locations. For a more comprehensive description of flood damage, please see other entries for areal and river flooding for Lincoln County.
June 2024Flash FloodTea-Rainfall between 3 and 5 inches between 11 pm and 2 am resulted in significant flooding of portions of Interstate 29 near mile marker 69. For a more comprehensive description of flood damage, please see other entries for areal and river flooding for Lincoln County.
May 2022HailTea-Occasional quarter to ping-pong ball size hail was reported.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindTea-Numerous tree limbs were downed by thunderstorm winds.
May 2022Thunderstorm WindTea-Numerous 3 inch tree limbs were broken off by thunderstorm winds.
July 2022HailTea-Wind driven hail produced some leaf and limb damage.
August 2021Flash FloodTea-Significant street flooding continued along Heritage Parkway and 271st Street.
August 2021Flash FloodTea-Numerous roads in Tea were under water. Significant flooding with up to 2 feet of water was reported on portions of 271st Street and Heritage Parkway.
June 2019Flash FloodTea-Parking lot flooded by over 2 feet of water.
September 2018Flash FloodTea-Over 3 inches of rainfall occurred since last evening. Significant ponding of water into yard.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindTea-Branches downed.
June 2017HailTea-Report received through social media.
June 2014FloodTea-Persistent moderate to heavy rain caused flooding of some fields and other lowlands, including several roads. This flooding was over a longer time than the more localized flash flooding that preceded it, and lasted well into the daytime hours after the rain subsided.
May 2013Flash FloodTea-Heavy rainfall of up to 5 inches in a short time caused street flooding in southern Sioux Falls, with water up to the tops of wheels. Other roads and basements were flooded in northern and central Lincoln County.
March 2011FloodTea-Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Farmland was flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River, and other lowlands were flooded. Numerous roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. The flooded roads included numerous rural roads. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.
June 2010Flash FloodTea-Heavy rain caused flash flooding of streets and basements in and near the southern part of Sioux Falls. Several cars stalled attempting to move on flooded streets.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down.
July 2010Flash FloodTea-Heavy rain caused flooding of streets in Tea and in the south part of Sioux Falls. Some basements were also flooded.
March 2009Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including 5 inch diameter limbs blown down.
March 2009Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm winds were estimated by the emergency manager, who also observed blowing debris.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down.
June 2008Flash FloodTea-Heavy rain caused flooding of numerous roads, fields, and other low areas, with several homes affected.
April 2004HailTea-Large hail damaged vehicles. The amount of damage was not known.
April 2004HailTea-Large hail caused damage to vehicles and windows. The amount of damage was not known.
June 2003Tornado (F0)Tea-A weak tornado tracked across farmland.
June 2003Tornado (F0)Tea-A weak tornado tracked across farmland.
June 2003Tornado (F0)Tea-A weak tornado tracked across farmland.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindTea-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage. The amount of damage was not known.
April 2026HailTea-no account filed
April 2026HailTea-no account filed
April 2026HailTea-no account filed
April 2026HailTea-no account filed
August 2023HailTea-no account filed
May 2022HailTea-no account filed
April 2021HailTea-no account filed
April 2021HailTea-no account filed
March 2019FloodTea-no account filed
June 2017HailTea-no account filed
June 2017HailTea-no account filed
September 2015HailTea-no account filed
July 2009HailTea-no account filed
June 2008HailTea-no account filed
May 2008HailTea-no account filed
July 2006Thunderstorm WindTea-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Lincoln County

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.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Lennox7.0 miles10
Harrisburg7.4 miles10
Worthing9.0 miles10
Naomi9.3 miles10
Shindler10.1 miles10
Canton16.3 miles11
Moe23.4 miles11
Fairview24.0 miles7

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 TeaAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q3243556The 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 1265702. 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.