For tornadoes, Harrisburg’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #13 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrisburg, and Harrisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #13 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Harrisburg’s 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, Harrisburg has less expected damage per building than 65% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Harrisburg: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrisburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrisburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Harrisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lincoln County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Harrisburg
Disasters that paid out in Harrisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harrisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$141K aid approved
Lincoln County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Harrisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrisburg archive →Harrisburg and its neighbors
Harrisburg is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delapre Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Harrisburg | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Springdale Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| La Valley Township | — | 498 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dayton Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg
Is Harrisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrisburg has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #13 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (24%). 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 Harrisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Harrisburg since 2013, $512K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Harrisburg 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 Lincoln County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harrisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrisburg’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 Harrisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Harrisburg, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2024): 30 households applied for aid, $141K approved.
Is Harrisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Harrisburg’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrisburg’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.