Odd Fellows Home of Dell Rapids · Photo: Amitzel · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dell Rapids than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dell Rapids gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #22 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1984.
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 Dell Rapids’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dell Rapids, and Dell Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #22 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dell Rapids’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical South Dakota town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dell Rapids has more expected damage per building than 62% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Dell Rapids: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dell Rapids flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dell Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 37.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $20K
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $7K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $434
Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Dell Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dell Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$88K to the City of Dell Rapids for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$16K to the City of Dell Rapids for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dell Rapids archive →Dell Rapids and its neighbors
Dell Rapids 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Rapids | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Dell Rapids Township | — | 704 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 Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids
Is Dell Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dell Rapids has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #22 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (14%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dell Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Dell Rapids since 1984, $737K in all, or 37.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (5).
Is Dell Rapids 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 Dell Rapids?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dell Rapids’ 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 Dell Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Dell Rapids, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 24 households applied for aid, $86K approved, and $88K to the City of Dell Rapids for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 5 paid, $20K.
Is Dell Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Dell Rapids’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dell Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dell Rapids’ 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.