Photo: National Park Service · Public domainYankton’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yankton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #20 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Yankton 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 Yankton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yankton, and Yankton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #20 of 35 in South Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Yankton’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, Yankton has more expected damage per building than 56% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.2M a year in losses across Yankton: $6.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yankton flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yankton, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Severe flooding1 claim · $1K
Yankton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yankton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Yankton
Disasters that paid out in Yankton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yankton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$200K aid approved
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding139 households applied for aid$245K aid approved$3.6M to the City of Yankton for repairs
- 2011Flooding87 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$103K to the City of Yankton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the City of Yankton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding18 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
Yankton County has had 13 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 Yankton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yankton archive →Yankton and its neighbors
Yankton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Utica Township | — | 831 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mission Hill Township | — | 111 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 Yankton 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Yankton
Is Yankton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yankton has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #20 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Yankton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Yankton since 1984, $627K in all, or 2.1 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 Severe flooding (1).
Is Yankton 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 Yankton County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Yankton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Yankton’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 Yankton?
By FEMA money that reached Yankton, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2019): 139 households applied for aid, $245K approved, and $3.6M to the City of Yankton for repairs. By flood claims, Severe flooding: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Yankton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Yankton’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yankton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yankton’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.