For tornadoes, Parkston’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkston gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2008.
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 Parkston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Parkston 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 Parkston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parkston, and Parkston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Parkston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Parkston: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parkston flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parkston, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parkston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Hutchinson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parkston
Disasters that paid out in Parkston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parkston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$11K to the City of Parkston for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$63K to the City of Parkston for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Parkston for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$14K to the City of Parkston for repairs
Hutchinson County has had 21 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 Parkston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parkston archive →Parkston and its neighbors
Parkston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkston | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Susquehanna Township | — | 57 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Liberty Township | — | 218 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 Parkston 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.
- Parkston residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Parkston
Is Parkston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkston has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (19%). 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 Parkston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Parkston since 2008, $41K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Parkston 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 Hutchinson County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Parkston?
Parkston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Parkston?
By FEMA money that reached Parkston, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): 28 households applied for aid, $88K approved, and $11K to the City of Parkston for repairs.
Is Parkston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Parkston’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parkston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parkston’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.