South Dakota Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
South Dakota faces flooding from the Missouri River, Big Sioux River, and James River, as well as flash flooding in the Black Hills. The 1972 Rapid City flood remains one of the deadliest flash floods in U.S. history, highlighting the extreme flood hazard in canyon terrain.
7 communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts of up to 15%.
South Dakota has recorded 4,017 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $62.0M in payouts. See how South Dakota compares in our nationwide NFIP claims data breakdown.
FEMA Region
Region 8
Also covers Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, +2 more
NFIP Policies
2,969
Avg. Premium
$1,120/yr
South Dakota Flood Risk Overview
County-level risk ratings from FEMA's National Risk Index across 66 South Dakota counties.
Inland Flood Risk
0 of 66 counties rated high or very high
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment.
Federal Flood Disaster History
South Dakota has received 22 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, severe storms, and coastal storms.
Declarations by Decade
Recent Declarations
Showing 8 most recent of 22 total declarations.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims
South Dakota properties have filed 4,017 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $62.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout in 2025 was $8,500.
Recent Years
Claims by Decade
Highest-Claim Years
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage in South Dakota
Only roughly 1 in 118 households in South Dakota carries NFIP flood insurance (0.8% of estimated households). 36 of 66 counties have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage. With 3,094 recorded flood events and $1.2B in damage, many flood losses in this state are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.8%
roughly 1 in 118 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
4,017 claims over 45+ years across 2,969 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$15,440
Per claim, state-wide since 1978
Historically, South Dakota has averaged 1.4 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI.
Repetitive Loss Properties in South Dakota
South Dakota has 261 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 23 severe repetitive loss properties. 5 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
261
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
23
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
5
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 259 of 261 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events in South Dakota
NOAA has recorded 3,094 flood events in South Dakota since 1996, causing an estimated $1.2B in property and crop damage and 10 deaths.
Total Events
3,094
Total Damage
$1.2B
Fatalities
10
Events by Decade
Costliest Events
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation in South Dakota
FEMA has funded mitigation for 583 properties in South Dakota, investing $2.2M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
Properties by Action
Mitigation by Decade
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigated Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discounts in South Dakota
7 South Dakota communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), earning flood insurance premium discounts for residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas. CRS classes in South Dakota range from 7 to 9, with discounts from 5% to 15%.
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 7 - 15% discount
Class 8 - 10% discount
Class 9 - 5% discount
Class 9 - 5% discount
Class 9 - 5% discount
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only. CRS classes and discounts are subject to change.
South Dakota Cities
Explore flood zone information for major cities in South Dakota.
South Dakota Flood Zone FAQ
How do I check if my South Dakota property is in a flood zone?
Enter your SD address in FludZone's free lookup tool. We query FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer in real-time to show your flood zone designation, whether flood insurance is required, and your property's risk level.
Do I need flood insurance in South Dakota?
If your South Dakota property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), meaning zones starting with A or V, and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not subject to the federal mandate but lenders may still require coverage, and it is often recommended given South Dakota's flood history.
What are the most common flood zones in South Dakota?
The most common FEMA flood zone designations in South Dakota are Zone AE, Zone A, Zone X. Each zone reflects a different level of flood risk, from high-risk areas where flood insurance is generally required for federally regulated or government-backed mortgages to lower-risk areas where coverage is optional but recommended.
Can I remove my South Dakota property from a flood zone?
Yes, if your South Dakota property's natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in the SFHA, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) through FEMA. For properties in South Dakota's AE and A zones, the LOMA process is relatively straightforward when the elevation data supports it. If your property was raised above the BFE with fill, the process is a LOMR-F. A successful LOMA generally removes the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement, but your lender may still choose to require coverage. You'll need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor.
Do any South Dakota communities offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes, 7 South Dakota communities participate in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for exceeding minimum flood mitigation standards. Residents in participating communities can receive NFIP premium discounts of up to 15% in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Properties outside the SFHA also benefit: CRS classes 1 through 6 receive a 10% discount, and classes 7 through 9 receive a 5% discount on NFIP premiums. Check your city's page on FludZone to see if your community participates.
How much does flood insurance cost in South Dakota?
The average NFIP flood insurance premium in South Dakota is $1,120 per year across 2,969 active policies. Premiums vary by zone: Zone AE policies average $1,158/yr. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, your specific premium depends on property type, elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation, and distance to water, not just your flood zone designation.
How many NFIP flood insurance claims has South Dakota had?
South Dakota has recorded 4,017 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $62.0M in payouts since 1978. The highest-claim year was 2011, with 927 claims and $14.2M in payouts. This history reflects cumulative flood damage to South Dakota properties across decades of storm and rainfall events.
How many South Dakota properties have flooded repeatedly?
South Dakota has 261 properties with multiple flood losses. Of these, 23 are classified as Severe Repetitive Loss, meaning they have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000 or more, or two or more claims where the total exceeds the building value. 5 of these properties have been mitigated.
What percentage of South Dakota homes have flood insurance?
Only roughly 1 in 118 households in South Dakota carries NFIP flood insurance (0.8% of estimated households). 36 counties in South Dakota have elevated flood risk but low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Understanding Flood Zones
Learn more about the FEMA flood zone designations common in South Dakota.
Insurance & Cost
Do I Need Flood Insurance?Flood Insurance CostsNFIP vs Private InsuranceRisk Rating 2.0Community Rating SystemBuying in a Flood ZoneFlood Zone DeterminationInsurance Waiting PeriodFlood vs Homeowners InsuranceInsurance Outside the SFHAZone X Flood InsuranceFlood Zones & Property ValueLook Up Any South Dakota Address
Enter a SD address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.