Photo: Ammodramus · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Sargent
Sargent isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sargent has 534 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2010.
What Sargent faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Wildfire
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Sargent flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sargent, from FEMA’s records.
- The March 2019 Midwest Flooding1 claim · $3K
Sargent isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Custer County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sargent
Disasters that paid out in Sargent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sargent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding96 households applied for aid$111K aid approved$271K to the City of Sargent for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds$63K to the City of Sargent for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Sargent for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$52K to the City of Sargent for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$31K to the City of Sargent for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of Sargent for repairs
Custer County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sargent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sargent archive →Get ready for what Sargent faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sargent
Does Sargent flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Sargent since 2010, $6K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2019 Midwest Flooding (1).
Is Sargent in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Custer County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sargent?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sargent’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sargent?
By FEMA money that reached Sargent, Severe Winter Storm, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): 96 households applied for aid, $111K approved, and $271K to the City of Sargent for repairs. By flood claims, March 2019 Midwest Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sargent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sargent’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.