Enter any address in Harding County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from severe thunderstorms and river overflow are the primary flood concerns in Harding County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 15 flood events and 5 flash flood events. For example, a slow-moving severe thunderstorm on July 31, 2016, produced three to five inches of rain over the northern part of the county, causing flooding of gravel roads. More broadly, a prolonged period of cold, wet, and snowy weather in late May 2019 led to flooding of creeks, rivers, low-lying areas, and some roads across western South Dakota, including Harding County.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows one claim in Zone A with an average payout of $0 and an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Homeowners in low-lying areas and those located near creeks and rivers should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
3 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Harding County, South Dakota has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1976–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 20, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 11, 2009 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | Nov 5, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | May 1, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 18, 2006 |
| 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 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 23, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 17, 2014 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Mar 10, 2014 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 7, 2013 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2011 | 300.00K |
Flood — May 24, 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,...
Flood — Mar 23, 2019
Minor flooding occurred along the Little Missouri River due to snowmelt and ice jams.
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,...
Flood — Apr 12, 2018
Runoff from melting snow across southeastern Montana caused minor flooding along the Little Missouri River upstream and downstream of Camp Crook. Minor flooding of pasture land occurred along the river for a couple of days, with a peak flow of around 4800 cubic feet per second.
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2016
A slow moving severe thunderstorm developed over northwestern Harding County and tracked southeast across the county. The storm produced hail to golf ball size and strong wind gusts. Three to five inches of rain over the northern part of the county caused flooding of gravel roads, especially between Ladner and Ludlow.
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 Harding 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 Harding 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.