Laura M Welch House · Photo: AlexiusHoratius · CC BY-SA 3.0Sioux Falls’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sioux Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #6 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 153 claims here since 1979.
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 Sioux Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sioux Falls, and Sioux Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #6 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sioux Falls’ residents live in 48 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, Sioux Falls has less expected damage per building than 85% of South Dakota towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Sioux Falls has lower expected damage per building than 74% (#105 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $99.2M, is the 118th largest of those 400.
Does Sioux Falls flood? Yes: 153 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sioux Falls, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The June Midwest Flooding11 claims · $623K
- The Midwest Flooding5 claims · $48K
- The Late spring storms2 claims · $1.0M
Sioux Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Minnehaha County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sioux Falls
Disasters that paid out in Sioux Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sioux Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding35 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$771K to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$476K to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding154 households applied for aid$99K aid approved$1.6M to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding200 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$1.7M to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6.0M to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$959K to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$126K to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 17 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 Sioux Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sioux Falls archive →Sioux Falls and its neighbors
Sioux Falls is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split Rock Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Mapleton Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 79 |
| Sioux Falls | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 153 |
| Delapre Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springdale Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wayne Township | — | 936 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brandon Township | — | 536 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Benton Township | — | 737 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Anderson | — | 219 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pine Lakes Addition | — | 282 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 Sioux Falls 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.
- Sioux Falls residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sioux Falls
Is Sioux Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sioux Falls has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #6 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sioux Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 153 claims in Sioux Falls since 1979, $5.9M in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from June Midwest Flooding (11).
Is Sioux Falls 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 Minnehaha County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sioux Falls?
Sioux Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Sioux Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Sioux Falls, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2013): $6.0M to the City of Sioux Falls for repairs. By flood claims, June Midwest Flooding: 11 paid, $623K.
Is Sioux Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Sioux Falls’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sioux Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sioux Falls’ 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.