Photo: John Lee Lopez · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mobridge than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mobridge gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #26 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Mobridge 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
Hail
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 Mobridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mobridge, and Mobridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #26 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mobridge’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, Mobridge has more expected damage per building than 74% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.6M a year in losses across Mobridge: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mobridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mobridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mobridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walworth County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mobridge
Disasters that paid out in Mobridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mobridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$4K to the City of Mobridge for repairs
Walworth County has had 9 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 Mobridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mobridge archive →Get ready for what Mobridge 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Mobridge
Is Mobridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mobridge has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #26 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (7%). 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.
Is Mobridge 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 Walworth County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Mobridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mobridge’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 Mobridge?
By FEMA money that reached Mobridge, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2019): 8 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $4K to the City of Mobridge for repairs.
Is Mobridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Mobridge’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mobridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mobridge’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.