Buffalo, SD (ZIP 57720) sits in one of the more disaster-active areas in the region, with 280 natural disaster events on record. These include 202 hailstorms, 46 severe wind events, and 17 wildfires. Total documented property damage amounts to $8.6M.
With 202 recorded incidents (72% of all events), hailstorms are the leading natural hazard for this ZIP code. Of these, 6 (3%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for hail-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Hail-related events have caused a combined $190.5K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded hailstorm occurred on Aug 1, 2025.
There have been 46 recorded severe wind events in this area, representing 16% of all disaster events. Wind-related events have caused a combined $72K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded severe wind event occurred on Jun 20, 2025.
There have been 17 recorded wildfires in this area, representing 6% of all disaster events. One event reached severity level 4 or 5 on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for wildfire-related events here is 4/5 (severe). The most recent recorded wildfire occurred on Jun 2, 2022.
Buffalo has experienced 8 blizzards on record. Of these, 7 (88%) 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 $8.3M in documented property damage. The most recent recorded blizzard occurred on Dec 25, 2016.
Buffalo has experienced 7 tornadoes on record. Of these, 2 (29%) were rated at severity level 4 or 5 — the most intense on the normalized scale. The highest recorded severity for tornado-related events here is 5/5 (extreme). Tornado-related events have caused a combined $45K in documented property damage. The most recent recorded tornado occurred on Jun 28, 2018.
The most significant disaster event on record for Buffalo was Blizzard on Mar 23, 2009, which caused $6.5M in property damage. Another major event was Winter Storm (Apr 18, 2006), causing $1M in damages.
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Based on federal and state records, ZIP code 57720 has experienced 280 natural disaster events. The hazard types affecting this area include hailstorms (202 events), severe wind events (46 events), wildfires (17 events), blizzards (8 events), and tornadoes (7 events). The primary hazard is hailstorms, which account for 72% of all recorded events.
Hailstorms are the most frequently recorded hazard in Buffalo, SD, with 202 events documented. These events have caused a combined $190.5K in property damage.
Buffalo has 7 recorded tornado events in the historical record. The strongest tornado recorded reached severity level 5/5 on the normalized scale. Total property damage from tornadoes in this area is $45K. The most recent tornado was recorded on Jun 28, 2018.
The most damaging natural disaster on record for ZIP code 57720 was Blizzard, which occurred on Mar 23, 2009. This event caused $6.5M in documented property damage. It was rated at severity level 5/5.
Natural disasters have caused a documented total of $8.6M in property damage in the Buffalo, SD area (ZIP 57720). 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 →