Enter any address in Haakon County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the primary flood hazard in Haakon County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 24 flood events and 8 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding in May 2020 and June 2022, both caused by thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall. A prolonged rain event in May 2023 also led to flooding along the Cheyenne and White River basins.
While National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims in Haakon County are infrequent, two claims have been filed in Zone X_Unshaded, an area of moderate flood risk. These claims averaged $0 in payouts and indicated minimal water depth. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near river basins or in lower-lying terrain, should remain aware of flood risks.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Haakon County, South Dakota has recorded 32 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 24 river or area floods. The county has received 18 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2022)
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 And Flooding | Flood | May 21, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 17, 2015 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 5, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 2, 2008 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Sep 6, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 12, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 23, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 12, 2023
A prolonged rain event over several days led to flooding and flash flooding over the Cheyenne and White River basins. Three to five inches of rain fell, with some locations receiving nearly four inches of rain within six hours on the evening of May 11. As the water flowed into larger rivers, minor flooding was observed.
Flood — Jun 12, 2022
A trailing supercell thunderstorm tracked across northeastern Wyoming and across the northern Black Hills and west central South Dakota. This storm brought large hail to the Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, and Sturgis areas, as well as portions of the southern Meade County plains into south central South Dakota. Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding across portions of northeastern Pennington and Haa...
Flash Flood — Jun 12, 2022
A trailing supercell thunderstorm tracked across northeastern Wyoming and across the northern Black Hills and west central South Dakota. This storm brought large hail to the Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, and Sturgis areas, as well as portions of the southern Meade County plains into south central South Dakota. Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding across portions of northeastern Pennington and Haa...
Flash Flood — May 23, 2020
A thunderstorm became severe in the Badlands area and tracked slowly north-northeast across parts of Jackson and Haakon Counties, eventually becoming a line of storms. The storms produced large hail and three to five inches of rain that caused flash flooding across portions of Haakon County.
Flood — May 29, 2019
Several days of heavy rain, along with major to record flooding the previous week, led to more flooding across portions of the western South Dakota plains and foothills of the Black Hills. The period of wet weather culminated with heavy rain and thunderstorms over the Rapid City area during the afternoon and evening of May 31, which led to widespread flooded roads.
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 Haakon 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 Haakon 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.