South Dakota has seen a number of nasty winters in its day, but only one can claim the title of bringing the worst blizzard in state history. Which is it? It just so happens to be this record-breaking blizzard in South Dakota that hit more than 50 years ago:

Taking place March 2nd through the 4th, 1966, was what is argued to be the worst blizzard in South Dakota history.
YouTube/iNewZ TV
Dubbed the "Northern Plains Blizzard," South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and parts of Montana and Iowa were blanketed in not only several feet of snow, but in blinding of winds of 70+ miles per hour.
Flickr/Louise Leclerc
As expected, the storm damaged countless homes, businesses, and vehicles, mostly due to high winds breaking windows and allowing in snow.
Flickr/vistavision

Related Stories

The Magnificent Black Hills Airbnb In South Dakota That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

The Magnificent Black Hills Airbnb In South Dakota That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

 Best Waterfalls In South Dakota: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

Best Waterfalls In South Dakota: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

 You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Flyboy Donuts In South Dakota

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Flyboy Donuts In South Dakota
As if the structural damage wasn't bad enough, an estimated 100,000 cattle and sheep were killed during the storm, resulting in a losses of $20M (which today, with inflation, would amount to $156,530,929.52).
Flickr/Yvonne Larsson
The worst part of the storm was not the damaged property or loss of livestock, but the six lives lost.
YouTube/iNewZ TV
Two men died from heart attacks whilst shoveling; a rancher died from exposure; another two were killed from exposure when their cars were stranded; and another died from asphyxiation while trying to heat his home with a gas oven.
By the late afternoon of March 4th, the snow finally subsided in South Dakota, but continued in the states both north and east, including NoDak.
YouTube/iNewZ TV

While we were unable to find footage of this blizzard in South Dakota, we did uncover this stunning video from iNewZ TV, which shows the devastation the storm had just to the north of us:

Do you remember the North Plains Blizzard of 1966? Please share you memories with us in the comments. While you’re here, also check out A Massive Blizzard Blanketed South Dakota In Snow In 1997 And It Will Never Be Forgotten.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

blizzard in South Dakota

Tori Jane | December 04, 2021

What is winter in South Dakota like?  

In a word? COLD! In two words? VERY cold! Winters here are frigid and snowy; blizzards and ice are not uncommon. On average, the majority of the state sees more than 30 inches of snow annually; in some areas, it’s much more, with Black Hills National Forest receiving up to 70 inches (and sometimes more) annually! The coldest city in the state is Aberdeen, where the average low year-round is 32 degrees. During the winter, some days don’t get above zero. In fact, two South Dakota cities are known to be so cold that they’ve repeatedly made lists of the top coldest cities in the United States: Sioux Falls and Rapid City are frigid as all get-out. In Sioux Falls, the average annual snowfall is about 37.6 inches, and in Rapid City, citizens tend to see about 38 inches annually. The good news is this: if you’re a fan of the cold, South Dakota is a wonderful place for you.  

What are some common natural disasters in South Dakota? 

The most common natural disasters in South Dakota include:

  • Tornadoes
  • Wildfire
  • Flooding
  • Blizzards
  • Ice Storms

 

South Dakota is not without its potential for disasters, unfortunately. Several of these events within the state set records, like the horrific flood of 1972, known formally as the Black Hills Flood. It was the single-most detrimental flood in the state’s entire history, resulting in more than 235 deaths. In 1965, South Dakota saw the single most dangerous type of storm there is: an F5 tornado ripped through Tripp County as part of a 30-tornado outbreak on May 8th. That disaster was significant in another way as well: the same storm system dropped plenty of snow over the Black Hills – up to 36 inches in some places! Other frightening natural disasters in South Dakota have been the horrific Grizzly Gulch fire of 2002, 2013’s intense ice storm, and more. For more details on these and a few other disasters that have struck our state, check out this frightening article!  

Related Articles