Enter any address in Lawrence County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Lawrence County. In the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 14 flash flood events and 13 flood events. For example, a severe storm on August 19, 2024, brought two to five inches of rain in about three hours, causing flash flooding in Deadwood. Earlier, on June 23, 2023, heavy rain from a strong thunderstorm led to significant flooding across northern Lawrence County, damaging roads and buildings.
NFIP claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $5,385 and an average water depth of 3.6 feet. Homeowners in Zone X_Unshaded also saw significant claims, with an average payout of $5,253 and a notable average water depth of 30.0 feet, though fewer claims were recorded in this zone. Residents in or near areas prone to rapid runoff from heavy rainfall, particularly those identified within Zone A, should pay the most 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.
Lawrence County, South Dakota has recorded 27 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 14 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 30, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornado, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 24, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 2, 2008 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Record And Near Record Snow | Snowstorm | May 1, 2008 |
| Box Elder Fire | Fire | Jul 19, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Sd Wildfire Camp Five | Fire | Apr 17, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Jun 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 5, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2019 | 297.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 3, 2019 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 5, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2013 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2024
A severe storm tracked out of northeast Wyoming and across the northern Black Hills area to the west central South Dakota plains during the evening hours. The storm produced large hail and heavy rain across the area. Flash flooding was noted in Deadwood later in the evening as two to five inches of rain fell in about three hours from several thunderstorms.
Flood — Jun 23, 2023
A strong thunderstorm produced hail to penny size in Saint Onge and heavy rain across the northern foothills area. Runoff from the heavy rain caused significant flooding in Spearfish and across other portions of northern Lawrence County. Asphalt buckled and gravel washed off numerous roads from the flooding and damaged buildings.
Flash Flood — Jun 23, 2023
A strong thunderstorm produced hail to penny size in Saint Onge and heavy rain across the northern foothills area. Runoff from the heavy rain caused significant flooding in Spearfish and across other portions of northern Lawrence County. Asphalt buckled and gravel washed off numerous roads from the flooding and damaged buildings.
Flood — Jul 5, 2019
A severe thunderstorm produced hail to quarter size in the Sturgis area. One to two inches of heavy rain over saturated ground caused flooding across parts of eastern Lawrence County into the Sturgis area.
Flash Flood — Jul 4, 2019
A severe thunderstorm produced hail to quarter size in the Sturgis area. One to two inches of heavy rain over saturated ground caused flooding across parts of eastern Lawrence County into the Sturgis area.
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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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.