South Dakota Refrigeration Trailer Rentals

What drives cold-storage demand in South Dakota

Weather and hazards

• Tornado (May to September): Severe thunderstorm and tornado season runs mainly May through September. The NWS Sioux Falls office issued 340 severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in 2022, versus 200 in 2021. Storm damage and outages after severe thunderstorms can often interrupt refrigeration and kitchens at restaurants, grocers and event sites. Source
• Winter storm (October to April): The October 2013 blizzard (Atlas) dropped over 19 inches on Rapid City in one day, closed more than 200 miles of I-90 and killed at least 14,000 cattle in western South Dakota. Blizzards that close highways and take down power lines can often leave food businesses without refrigeration or cooking capacity for days. Source
• Flood (March to September): The 1972 Rapid Creek flood killed 238 people. In 2019, March snowmelt flooding and September rain along the Big Sioux River closed roads, including I-90 between Mitchell and Sioux Falls. Flooding can force kitchens and food storage facilities to close and often creates demand for temporary cold storage and food service. Source
• Heat wave (July to August): Hot, dry spells push temperatures above 100F several times in many years, and the state record is 120F. Extreme heat can overload older walk-in coolers and raise spoilage risk for perishable food at events and plants. Source
• Wildfire: The arid edges of Rapid City and the Black Hills carry elevated wildfire risk, as shown by the 1988 Westberry Trails fire. Wildfire evacuations and utility shutoffs can displace restaurants, shelters and crews who then need temporary kitchens and cold storage. Source

Power outages

• A February 2026 winter storm left about 53,174 South Dakota households without power; Black Hills Electric Cooperative reported losing 96 percent of its power, its largest outage ever, and the governor activated the state emergency plan. Multi-day rural outages often spoil refrigerated food and halt commercial kitchens until lines are rebuilt. Source
• The October 2013 blizzard knocked out electricity to more than 20,000 people in the Black Hills and left thousands more without power statewide. Storm outages in winter can leave stores and processors needing backup refrigeration until power returns. Source

Food and hospitality

• A South Dakota Department of Agriculture study put agriculture's annual economic impact at about $32.5 billion, up $6.9 billion from the 2014 study. A large farm and processing base means seasonal peaks in food handling and cold storage. Source
• Cattle and calves led South Dakota farm sales in 2019 at about $2.1 billion, ahead of corn at $1.85 billion, and the state ranks fifth in beef cows. Beef and livestock operations depend on chilled handling, and extra cold capacity can matter during plant outages or peak shipping. Source
• Pheasant hunters spent an estimated $304.5 million in South Dakota in 2025, and out-of-state visitors have outnumbered resident hunters since 2002. Fall hunting traffic can raise demand for lodge, outfitter and community-event kitchens and for cold storage of game and supplies. Source
• Financial services and health care are large employers in Sioux Falls, and a Smithfield/John Morrell pork plant operates there. Meat processing and hospital food service rely on continuous refrigeration and large-scale warewashing. Source
• Royal Canin announced a $185 million pet food plant investment in North Sioux City in February 2022, with about 149 new jobs. Food and pet food manufacturing growth increases the need for temporary refrigerated storage during expansions and shutdowns. Source