Enter any address in McPherson County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events characterizes flood risk in McPherson County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 12 flood events and 7 flash flood events. For example, on July 24-25, 2020, storms produced 4 to 8 inches of rain, with localized amounts approaching a foot, leading to significant overland flooding in northeastern McPherson County. Earlier, on April 12, 2023, unusually deep snowpack from a snowy season combined with unseasonably warm conditions to create flood conditions.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone X_Unshaded have experienced claims. These claims averaged $4,970 in payouts and an average water depth of 5.3 feet. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay particular attention to properties located in areas prone to heavy rainfall and overland flooding, as well as those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
McPherson County, South Dakota has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 12 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (1969–2022)
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 Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 13, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 10, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Jan 20, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 11, 2009 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,heavy Rains High Winds | Flood | Feb 3, 1997 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 24, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 6, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 1, 2019 | 67.80K |
| Flood | May 17, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 17, 2018 | 54.00K |
Flood — Apr 12, 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...
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2020
Storms tracked across north central and northeast South Dakota during the evening hours of July 24th and into July 25th. Developing in a very moisture rich atmosphere, the storms were able to produce very heavy rain in a short amount of time, especially over parts of northeastern McPherson County, northern Brown County and far northwestern Marshall County. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 in...
Flood — Jul 24, 2020
Storms tracked across north central and northeast South Dakota during the evening hours of July 24th and into July 25th. Developing in a very moisture rich atmosphere, the storms were able to produce very heavy rain in a short amount of time, especially over parts of northeastern McPherson County, northern Brown County and far northwestern Marshall County. Rainfall amounts ranged from 4 to 8 in...
Flood — Jul 6, 2020
Heavy rains caused the flooding of several secondary roads in southeast Mcpherson county near the Long Lake Colony. One car stalled after driving into a flooded road.
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 McPherson 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 McPherson 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.