A large tornado touched down near Watertown, South Dakota, on Sunday evening, causing alarm across the region. Dramatic videos shared on social media show the twister moving ominously across the landscape, prompting urgent warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS).
This is ACTUAL footage of a tornado today. This was captured by Brandon Copic with WeatherWise.
This is not my video, please support Brandon Copic on YouTube, and X/Twitter.
📍Watertown, SD, USA#wxtwitter #wxX #SDwx #weather #tornado pic.twitter.com/MAfyjQmw2e
— JesseLikesWeather (@JesseWeather000) July 27, 2025
Tornado Warning Issued
The NWS in Aberdeen has officially issued a Tornado Warning for northeastern Hamlin County and southeastern Codington County, effective until 7:30 PM CDT.
At 6:46 PM CDT, meteorologists reported a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Watertown, moving east at 20 miles per hour. This storm poses a serious threat, including hazards like tornadoes and golf ball-sized hail.
Safety Alerts
If the tornado develops, the NWS warns of dangerous flying debris, which could be hazardous for anyone without adequate shelter. Mobile homes may be damaged or destroyed, and damage to roofs, windows, vehicles, and trees is likely.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
In addition to the tornado alert, the NWS has issued a severe thunderstorm watch that remains in effect until midnight CDT. The affected areas include:
Affected Areas
Minnesota (West Central) – 2 Counties:
- Big Stone
- Traverse
South Dakota (Northeast) – 6 Counties:
- Clark
- Codington
- Deuel
- Grant
- Hamlin
- Roberts
Cities Included
Key cities under alert include Clark, Clear Lake, Hayti, Milbank, Ortonville, Sisseton, Watertown, and Wheaton.
Residents in the affected areas are strongly advised to take shelter immediately and stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds.
