McGregor House · Photo: Ammodramus · CC0On FEMA’s figures, Aberdeen faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #7 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 328 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Aberdeen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aberdeen 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
Strong wind
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.
What’s behind Aberdeen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #7 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aberdeen’s residents live in 6 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical South Dakota town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aberdeen has less expected damage per building than 82% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.1M a year in losses across Aberdeen: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aberdeen flood? Yes: 328 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aberdeen, from FEMA’s records: 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms4 claims · $19K
Aberdeen is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brown County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aberdeen
Disasters that paid out in Aberdeen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aberdeen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$766K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2010Flooding$282K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$110K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3,271 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$145K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs130 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$8K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Brown County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aberdeen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aberdeen archive →Aberdeen and its neighbors
Aberdeen has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 328 |
| Aberdeen Township | — | 548 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bath Township | — | 446 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Aberdeen 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Aberdeen residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Aberdeen
Is Aberdeen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #7 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aberdeen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 328 claims in Aberdeen since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (4).
Is Aberdeen 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 Brown County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Aberdeen?
By FEMA money that reached Aberdeen, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 3,271 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $145K to the City of Aberdeen for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 4 paid, $19K.
Is Aberdeen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Aberdeen’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aberdeen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aberdeen’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.