Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Box Elder faces more hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Box Elder gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #27 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then wildfire (34%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1986.
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 Box Elder’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Box Elder 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
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.
What’s behind Box Elder’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Box Elder, and Box Elder’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 34%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #27 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Box Elder’s residents live in 7 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, Box Elder has more expected damage per building than 76% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Box Elder: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Box Elder flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Box Elder, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Box Elder isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pennington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Box Elder
Disasters that paid out in Box Elder itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Box Elder), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$50K to the City of Box Elder for repairs
Pennington County has had 13 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.
Also 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Pennington County, 2002–2021.
Old photos of Box Elder after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Box Elder archive →Box Elder and its neighbors
Box Elder is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland Heights | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rapid Valley | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rapid City | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Box Elder | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Box Elder 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.
- 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 Box Elder
Is Box Elder at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Box Elder has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #27 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and wildfire (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Box Elder flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Box Elder since 1986, $139K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Box Elder 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 Pennington County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Box Elder?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Box Elder’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 Box Elder?
By FEMA money that reached Box Elder, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2013): $50K to the City of Box Elder for repairs.
Is Box Elder at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Box Elder’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Box Elder.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Box Elder’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.