Enter any address in Ziebach County, South Dakota to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall events, including flash floods, is the dominant flood character in Ziebach County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA data recorded 28 flood events and 13 flash flood events. Recent examples include flooding and flash flooding observed in the Cheyenne and White River basins in May 2023 following several days of rain, and flash flooding across county roads in June 2023 due to heavy rain runoff.
Minor flooding along the Cheyenne River also occurred in March 2019, attributed to dam releases, snowmelt, and ice jams. FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data shows two claims filed from Zone Unknown, with an average payout of $1,714 and an average water depth of 22.5 feet. Residents in areas prone to river overflow, such as along the Cheyenne and White Rivers, and those whose flood zones are not yet determined, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ziebach County, South Dakota has recorded 41 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 28 river or area floods. The county has received 22 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 | Severe Storm | Dec 24, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Flood | Jun 13, 2014 |
| Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Oct 3, 2013 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 2010 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Apr 2, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 12, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 29, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 27, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 26, 2019 | 750.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2019 | 300.00K |
| Flood | Mar 19, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flood — Jun 23, 2023
Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding across portions of Ziebach County during the late evening and overnight hours. Flash flooding inundated several county roads, overwhelmed culverts, and caused ponding of water in fields.
Flash Flood — Jun 22, 2023
Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding across portions of Ziebach County during the late evening and overnight hours. Flash flooding inundated several county roads, overwhelmed culverts, and caused ponding of water in fields.
Flood — May 12, 2023
A prolonged rain event over several days led to flooding and flash flooding over the Cheyenne and White River basins. Three to five inches of rain fell, with some locations receiving nearly four inches of rain within six hours on the evening of May 11. As the water flowed into larger rivers, minor flooding was observed.
Flood — May 29, 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 27, 2019
After major to record flooding due to widespread heavy precipitation during the previous week, conditions were primed for additional flooding when rain began May 26. As much as four inches of rain was observed near Faith, while one to two inches of rain fell over portions of the White River basin.
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 Ziebach 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 Ziebach 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.