Enter any address in Mellette County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the primary flood hazard in Mellette County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 11 flood events and 5 flash flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on June 20, 2024, when 2 to 5 inches of rain in less than 3 hours caused inundated roads, and on August 5, 2022, when heavy rainfall led to rapid ponding in fields and rising water levels in the Little White River.
Residents in areas prone to rapid runoff, particularly those near creeks and rivers, or in low-lying locations, should be particularly aware of flood risks. Homeowners in zones without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) designation should also pay close attention to potential flood impacts.
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.
Mellette County, South Dakota has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 5 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 5 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 Winter Storms And Snowstorm | Winter Storm | Dec 12, 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, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Flood | Mar 13, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Dec 23, 2009 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 28, 2004 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 5, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 20, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 18, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 12, 2011 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2010 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 10, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2009 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
Training thunderstorms dumped 2 to 5 inches of rain in less than 3 hours over portions of south-central South Dakota. Runoff from the heavy rain caused several roads to be inundated with water and debris.
Flash Flood — Aug 5, 2022
A line of strong to severe thunderstorms produced gusty winds across portions of Todd County. Monsoonal moisture, combined with training storms, resulted in flash flooding across southern Mellette and northern Todd Counties. Rainfall amounts of three to four inches were reported. Flash flooding quickly occurred as water ponded in fields. Heavy rain washed gravel off rural roads. The Little Whit...
Flood — May 27, 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.
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 — Mar 20, 2019
Flooding occurred along the White River and its tributaries from the Nebraska state line to Mellette County. The worst flooding was along the river over Oglala Lakota County.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Mellette 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 Mellette 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.