Storms, floods and disasters in Chamberlain Township
Chamberlain Township isn’t graded for hazard risk: Chamberlain Township has 307 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1997.
What Chamberlain Township 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.
Does Chamberlain Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chamberlain Township, from FEMA’s records.
4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chamberlain Township
Disasters that paid out in Chamberlain Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chamberlain Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$7K to Chamberlain Township for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to Chamberlain Township for repairs
- 2011Flooding$5K to Chamberlain Township for repairs
- 2010Flooding$5K to Chamberlain Township for repairs
Brule 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 Chamberlain Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chamberlain Township archive →Chamberlain Township and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Oacoma | — | 548 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Oacoma Township | — | 51 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pukwana Township | — | 48 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brule Township | — | 93 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Point Township | — | 193 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 Chamberlain Township 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 Chamberlain Township
Does Chamberlain Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Chamberlain Township since 1997, $142K in all.
Is Chamberlain Township 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.
How much is flood insurance in Chamberlain Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chamberlain Township’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 Chamberlain Township?
By FEMA money that reached Chamberlain Township, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $7K to Chamberlain Township for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chamberlain Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chamberlain Township’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.