E.B. Bobb House · Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0For tornadoes, Mitchell’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchell gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #12 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mitchell, and Mitchell’s 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− #12 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mitchell’s residents live in 4 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, Mitchell has less expected damage per building than 68% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Mitchell: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mitchell flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mitchell, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding4 claims · $642K
- The Midwest Flooding3 claims · $14K
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $3K
Mitchell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davison County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mitchell
Disasters that paid out in Mitchell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mitchell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding414 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$33K to the City of Mitchell for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding385 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$50K to the City of Mitchell for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$73K to the City of Mitchell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$243K to the City of Mitchell for repairs
Davison County has had 12 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 Mitchell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mitchell archive →Mitchell and its neighbors
Mitchell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Perry Township | — | 154 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Badger Township | — | 161 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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell
Is Mitchell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mitchell has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #12 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mitchell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Mitchell since 1984, $791K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (4).
Is Mitchell 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 Davison County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mitchell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mitchell’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 Mitchell?
By FEMA money that reached Mitchell, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2024): 414 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $33K to the City of Mitchell for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 4 paid, $642K.
Is Mitchell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Mitchell’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mitchell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mitchell’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.