Enter any address in Clark County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood character in Clark County. Recent events include widespread heavy rain across multiple counties on July 4th, 2024, leading to flooding at Lake Kampeska, and significant snowmelt contributing to flooding on April 10th, 2023, due to unusually deep snowpack and late spring warming.
While flash floods are common, other flood types have also occurred. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 17 flood events and 10 flash flood events in the county. NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $13,115 and an average water depth of 0.5 feet. Properties in Zone X_Unshaded have also seen claims with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Clark County, South Dakota has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 22 federal disaster declarations, 10 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood | Apr 9, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Dec 12, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 9, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 13, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 10, 2010 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 4, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jul 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 2, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 150.00K |
| Flood | Mar 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2019 | 120.80K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 15, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jul 23, 2025
Multiple clusters of storms moved across portions of central, north central and northeast South Dakota on the morning of July 23rd. Many of these storms produced strong winds and wind related damage. A peak wind gust of 80 mph was observed by the South Dakota State University mesonet station near Lower Brule, while a peak wind gust of 76 mph was measured by the South Dakota Department of Transp...
Flood — Jul 4, 2024
Slow moving low pressure generated a pocket of prolonged heavy rain over a portion of northeast South Dakota. Radar estimates of rainfall ranged between 2 and 5 inches in a broad area covering portions of Brown, Day, Clark and Codington counties, with public measurements of between 2.76 and 3.5 inches on the west side of Watertown, and an observed rainfall of 2.85 inches near Ferney. Portions ...
Flash Flood — Jun 2, 2024
Low pressure crossing from west to east across the state provided the support for numerous, widespread severe thunderstorms. The main threat from these storms was large hail, with several reports of hail at or greater than golfball size. Emergency management for Brown county observed hail from golfball to baseball size 3 miles north northwest of Barnard, and hail to the size of baseballs was ob...
Flood — Apr 10, 2023
The snowfall during the season in northeast and central South Dakota exceeded normal levels, with many locations ranking among the top 10 for the snowiest seasons. Additionally, the late spring conditions were unusually cold, resulting in a persistent and exceptionally deep snowpack until early April. The depth of the snowpack ranged from 15 to 30 plus inches, containing approximately 4 to 8 in...
Flood — Mar 26, 2019
Much above normal winter snowfall and melt water/ice jams along with heavy rains in the middle of March brought flooding across parts of central and northeast South Dakota for late March. Rivers and creeks flooded across much of the area along with many fields and roads. The flooding damaged many of the roads and culverts across the region. Some structures were also flooded. Lake levels also ro...
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 Clark 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 Clark 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.