Enter any address in Moody County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Big Sioux River Basin is the dominant flood character in Moody County. Between 2000 and 2020, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 91 flood events and 4 flash flood events. For example, heavy rains in late June 2025 caused river gauges in the Big Sioux River Basin to rise into minor and moderate flood stages. Similarly, a significant multi-day rainfall event in June 2024 resulted in major to record river flooding and extensive overland flooding across the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from Moody County shows that properties in Zone A experienced 45 claims with an average payout of $12,085 and an average water depth of 1.4 feet. While Zone X had fewer claims, it recorded a higher average payout of $15,064 with an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, or those located near rivers and streams, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
38 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Moody County, South Dakota has recorded 95 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 4 flash floods and 91 river or area floods. The county has received 21 federal disaster declarations, 10 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 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 11, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Sep 22, 2010 |
| Flooding | Flood | Mar 10, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 2, 2008 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2024 | 105.00K |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Apr 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 30, 2025
A period of heavy rain across northeast South Dakota resulted in downstream river gauges within the upper and middle Big Sioux River Basin to rise into Minor and locally Moderate flood stage.
Flood — Jul 1, 2025
River flooding from heavy rain at the end of June continued across the upper Big Sioux River Basin before falling below flood stage within the first few days of July.
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...
Flood — Jul 1, 2024
River levels from the historic June flooding remained above flood stage for some locations into July, although continued a declining trend.
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 Moody 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 Moody 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.