Enter any address in Lincoln County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Heavy rainfall events, including both widespread flooding and flash flooding, are the dominant flood character in Lincoln County. Recent events in June 2024 illustrate this, with a multi-day rainfall event causing major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding. Clusters of thunderstorms also produced high rainfall rates, leading to flash flooding along key transportation corridors.
Over the past 30 years, Lincoln County has experienced 91 flood events and 36 flash flood events, resulting in one reported death. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone X and Zone A have seen the most claims. Average payouts in Zone X were approximately $62,578 with an average water depth of 4.6 feet, while Zone A claims averaged $59,499 with a similar average water depth.
Homeowners in areas near streams and rivers, as well as those in Zone A or Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
43 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Lincoln County, South Dakota has recorded 127 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 36 flash floods and 91 river or area floods. The county has received 17 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 (1969–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 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 Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 13, 2014 |
| Severe Storms, Tornado, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 24, 2013 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Apr 8, 2013 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 21, 2010 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 12.00M (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 31, 2024
Scattered thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours produced pockets of heavy rainfall and very efficient rainfall rates. This resulted in localized flash flooding reports across far southeast South Dakota, far northeast Nebraska, and northwest Iowa. Even after the heaviest rainfall rates had ended, a stripe of prolonged moderate rainfall resulted in excessive ponding and some minor ...
Flash Flood — Jun 21, 2024
Clusters of thunderstorms with very high rainfall rates from 2 to 4 inches per hour developed by midday on June 20, and despite being transient, continued to redevelop through the evening and into the overnight hours. The primary focus occurred along Highway 18 in the afternoon southwest and south of Sioux Falls, then along Interstate 90 during the evening, and settled again to along the Highw...
Flood — Jun 21, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches with pockets in excess of 15 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding al...
Flood — Jun 20, 2024
A multi-day significant heavy rainfall event from June 20-22 resulted in widespread rain totals between 5 and 10 inches with pockets in excess of 15 inches across portions of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota. As rainfall reached area streams and rivers, major to record flooding was observed, devastating several towns and communities. Extensive overland flooding al...
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
Clusters of thunderstorms with very high rainfall rates from 2 to 4 inches per hour developed by midday on June 20, and despite being transient, continued to redevelop through the evening and into the overnight hours. The primary focus occurred along Highway 18 in the afternoon southwest and south of Sioux Falls, then along Interstate 90 during the evening, and settled again to along the Highw...
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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.