Watertown, SD (ZIP 57201) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 224 natural disaster events on record. These include 154 hailstorms, 43 severe wind events, and 12 tornadoes. Total documented property damage amounts to $19M. These events have resulted in 8 recorded deaths and 17 injuries.
The dominant hazard type for Watertown is hailstorms, with 154 recorded events making up 69% of the area's disaster history. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Sep 2, 2025.
There have been 43 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 19% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wind-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Wind-related events have caused a combined $624K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Aug 5, 2025.
There have been 12 recorded tornadoes in this area, representing 5% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 4/5 (severe). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $5.6M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jul 27, 2025.
Watertown has experienced 10 blizzards on record. Of these, 5 (50%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for winter storm events here is 5/5 (extreme). Winter storm events have caused a combined $425K in documented property damage. 8 fatalities have been attributed to blizzards in this area. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Mar 16, 2023.
Watertown has experienced 5 floods on record. Of these, 4 (80%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for flood-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Flood-related events have caused a combined $12.4M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded flood occurred on Jul 5, 2024.
The most significant disaster event on record for Watertown was Flood on Jun 1, 2019, which caused $11.4M in property damage. Another major event was EF3 Tornado (Jul 18, 1983), causing $2.5M in damages. EF2 Tornado on Jun 19, 1979 also caused significant damage ($2.5M).
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 57201 has experienced 224 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (154 events), severe wind events (43 events), tornadoes (12 events), blizzards (10 events), and floods (5 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 69% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Watertown, SD, with 154 events documented.
Yes, Watertown (ZIP 57201) has 5 recorded flood events. These floods have caused $12.4M in total property damage. The most recent flood on record occurred on Jul 5, 2024.
Watertown has 12 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 4/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $5.6M. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jul 27, 2025.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 57201 was Flood, which occurred on Jun 1, 2019. This event caused $11.4M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $19M in property damage in the Watertown, SD area (ZIP 57201). This figure is based on historical records from FEMA, NOAA Storm Events Database, and USGS, and covers events from the 1950s through the present. Actual damages may be higher, as not all events have complete damage assessments.
Data sourced from FEMA (disaster declarations, NFIP flood claims), NOAA Storm Events Database, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, and NIFC wildfire records. Historical coverage varies by source, with most records beginning in the 1950s–1970s. Full methodology →