SPENCER, S.D.(KMIT)- Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of a significant weather event in South Dakota – the Spencer tornado. Six people were killed, more than 100 people were injured, and most of the town was leveled as a result of the F4 tornado. Todd Heitkamp (height-camp) of the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says there were several storms that night.
Tornado warnings were issued in the 40 minutes prior to the tornado hitting Spencer. Heitkamp says had people not heeded the warnings, it could have been even more catastrophic.
Heitkamp reminds residents to take cover, not videos, when storm warnings are issued.
The Spencer tornado remains the costliest tornado in South Dakota history with damage estimated at $18 million.