For tornadoes, Brandon’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #16 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
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 Brandon 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
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 Brandon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brandon, and Brandon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #16 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brandon’s residents live in 4 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, Brandon has less expected damage per building than 56% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Brandon: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brandon flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brandon, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Brandon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Minnehaha County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brandon
Disasters that paid out in Brandon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brandon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$815K to the City of Brandon for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the City of Brandon for repairs
Minnehaha County has had 14 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 Brandon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brandon archive →Brandon and its neighbors
Brandon is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split Rock Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Brandon | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brandon Township | — | 536 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 Brandon 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.
- 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 Brandon
Is Brandon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brandon has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #16 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brandon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Brandon since 2019, $49K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Brandon 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 Minnehaha County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brandon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brandon’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 Brandon?
By FEMA money that reached Brandon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 3 households applied for aid, $1K approved, and $815K to the City of Brandon for repairs.
Is Brandon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Brandon’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brandon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brandon’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.