Enter any address in Butte County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Butte County's flood risk. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 20 flood events and 6 flash flood events, which have resulted in one reported death. For example, in May 2019, prolonged precipitation from a powerful storm system caused runoff from rain and melting snow to flood creeks, rivers, and low-lying areas. More recently, in July 2019, a severe thunderstorm produced heavy rainfall that led to flooding across parts of northeastern Butte County due to runoff into already saturated ground.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average of $1,464 in payouts with an average water depth of 1.9 feet. While Zone X_Unshaded properties have seen fewer claims and lower average payouts, Zone Unknown areas have shown a higher average water depth for their claims. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, or those with properties near creeks and rivers, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Butte County, South Dakota has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 20 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2022)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 11, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 30, 2019 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | May 21, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 13, 2014 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 11, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 16, 2020 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 750.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 16, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2019 | 40.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2018 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2014 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 17, 2014 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | May 29, 2013 | 25.00K |
Flash Flood — May 16, 2020
Prolonged upslope rain showers with embedded thunderstorms dropped one to three inches of rain across northern Lawrence and southern Butte Counties. Runoff from the heavy rain, combined with saturated soils and locally steep terrain, led to flooding in southern Butte County.
Flood — May 22, 2019
A powerful storm system slowly moved from the Four Corners region northeastward through the Plains, leading to a prolonged period of precipitation across western South Dakota May 20-22. This three day period was among the coldest, wettest, and snowiest on record for late May, with several temperature and precipitation records set. Runoff from the rain and melting snow led to flooding of creeks,...
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2019
A severe thunderstorm tracked eastward from northeastern Wyoming across southern Butte and northwestern Meade Counties. The storm produced hail and strong wind gusts. Runoff from heavy rainfall overnight on already saturated ground caused flooding across parts of northeastern Butte County.
Flood — Jul 16, 2019
Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms caused flooding in eastern Butte County.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2019
Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms caused flooding in eastern Butte County.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Butte County, South Dakota:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Butte County, South Dakota that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.