Photo: Jerry Huddleston from Hampton, Minnesota, US · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Sturgis’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sturgis gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #28 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1978.
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 Sturgis 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 Sturgis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sturgis, and Sturgis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #28 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sturgis’ residents live in 3 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, Sturgis has more expected damage per building than 79% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Sturgis: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sturgis flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sturgis, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sturgis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Meade County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sturgis
Disasters that paid out in Sturgis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sturgis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$1.5M to the City of Sturgis for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Sturgis for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$432K to the City of Sturgis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow$1K to the City of Sturgis for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the City of Sturgis for repairs
Meade County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Meade County, 2005–2006.
Old photos of Sturgis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sturgis archive →Get ready for what Sturgis 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 Sturgis
Is Sturgis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sturgis has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #28 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and wildfire (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sturgis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Sturgis since 1978, $17K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sturgis 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 Meade County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sturgis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sturgis’ 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 Sturgis?
By FEMA money that reached Sturgis, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2019): $1.5M to the City of Sturgis for repairs.
Is Sturgis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Sturgis’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sturgis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sturgis’ 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.