Ivan Cobel House · Photo: Jatakuck · CC BY-SA 3.0For tornadoes, Brookings’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookings gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #9 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1980.
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 Brookings 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 Brookings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brookings, and Brookings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #9 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brookings’ 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, Brookings has less expected damage per building than 76% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.2M a year in losses across Brookings: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brookings flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brookings, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $43K
Brookings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brookings County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brookings
Disasters that paid out in Brookings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brookings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$475K to the City of Brookings for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding49 households applied for aid$85K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$116K to the City of Brookings for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Brookings for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Brookings County has had 18 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 Brookings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brookings archive →Brookings and its neighbors
Brookings has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookings | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Medary Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brookings Township | — | 617 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Aurora Township | — | 134 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Trenton Township | — | 249 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 Brookings 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Brookings
Is Brookings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brookings has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #9 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brookings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Brookings since 1980, $187K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Severe flooding (1).
Is Brookings 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 Brookings County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brookings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brookings’ 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 Brookings?
By FEMA money that reached Brookings, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): $475K to the City of Brookings for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $43K.
Is Brookings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Brookings’ rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brookings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brookings’ 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.