Sioux Falls, South Dakota: natural disaster risk
How exposed Sioux Falls is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Minnehaha County.
Sioux Falls is a city of 201,469 people in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. Parts of Sioux Falls also reach into Lincoln County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Minnehaha County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are tornado, inland flooding and cold wave, with about $104 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 1,186 storm reports in the county since 1956, including 48 tornadoes and 225 floods. About 0.3% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Minnehaha County, the county with most of the population Sioux Falls sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Sioux Falls
Full Minnehaha County report ›- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado | $36M | |
| Inland flooding | $34M | |
| Cold wave | $17M | |
| Ice storm | $5M | |
| Heat wave | $3M | |
| Strong wind | $3M | |
| Hail | $3M | |
| Winter weather | $1M | |
| Drought | $807K | |
| Lightning | $359K | |
| Wildfire | $243K | |
| Earthquake | $162K |
Homes in Sioux Falls
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Minnehaha County
Other cities in South Dakota
All ›Common questions about Sioux Falls
Is Sioux Falls safe from natural disasters?
Sioux Falls is in Minnehaha County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are tornado, inland flooding, cold wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Sioux Falls?
By expected yearly losses in Minnehaha County, the top hazards are tornado (High), inland flooding (Moderate), cold wave (High). Minnehaha County has been part of 15 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Sioux Falls get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 48 tornadoes in Minnehaha County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on June 21, 1961. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Sioux Falls?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Minnehaha County, about 0.3% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.