Enter any address in Minnehaha County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is a significant concern in Minnehaha County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 162 flood events and 67 flash flood events. For example, on July 23, 2025, thunderstorms produced 2 to 5 inches of rain in 1-2 hours, causing significant flash flooding in Sioux Falls. Another event on September 16, 2025, saw torrential rainfall in southwestern Sioux Falls from a stationary thunderstorm.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $17,105 for 1.5 feet of water depth. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have seen the highest average payouts ($84,222) and the deepest average water depths (3.7 feet), despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
95 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Minnehaha County, South Dakota has recorded 229 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 67 flash floods and 162 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 (1969–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 12, 2022 |
| 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 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 | Jul 23, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 939.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2025
A cluster of thunderstorms erupted within a very moist and unstable airmass ahead of a slow moving frontal boundary during the evening of July 23. These thunderstorms bisected the city of Sioux Falls from southwest to northeast with neighborhoods southeast of I-229 reporting 2 to 5 inches of rain in a matter of 1-2 hours. This resulted in significant flash flooding across impacted portions of t...
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2025
A nearly stationary thunderstorm developed and dissipated over southwestern Sioux Falls along a converging set of outflow boundaries from earlier thunderstorm activity. With less than 10 knots of deep-layer shear and an extensive warm-cloud depth, torrential rainfall occurred with 1 to 2 inches in less than an hour. Brief large hail also occurred at the onset of heavy rain.
Flood — Jun 22, 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 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...
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...
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 Minnehaha 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 Minnehaha 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.