Photo: devriesm · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Hot Springs faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hot Springs gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #32 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then wildfire (15%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1988.
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 Hot Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hot Springs 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
Wildfire
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 Hot Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hot Springs, and Hot Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #32 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hot Springs’ residents live in 2 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, Hot Springs has more expected damage per building than 91% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Hot Springs: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hot Springs flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hot Springs, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hot Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fall River County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hot Springs
Disasters that paid out in Hot Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hot Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Straight-line Winds$57K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$104K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides$16K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs
Fall River County has had 10 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fall River County, 2000–2018.
Old photos of Hot Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hot Springs archive →Get ready for what Hot Springs 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Hot Springs
Is Hot Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hot Springs has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #32 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and wildfire (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hot Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hot Springs since 1988, $25 in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hot Springs 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 Fall River County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hot Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hot Springs’ 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 Hot Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Hot Springs, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2013): $104K to the City of Hot Springs for repairs.
Is Hot Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hot Springs’ rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hot Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hot Springs’ 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.