Sioux Falls, SD

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 209,289 · Part of Minnehaha County

Sioux Falls is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Minnehaha County, SD. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, tornado, and winter weather.

Storm events near Sioux Falls

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Sioux Falls's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Sioux Falls itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 18 events
Hail 180 events
Inland Flooding 334 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Minnehaha County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Sioux Falls along with the rest of the county, not a Sioux Falls-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 71.3 Relatively Low
Inland Flooding 85.5 Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flooding Not Applicable
Earthquake 37.2 Very Low
Heat Wave 87.2 Relatively Moderate
Tornado 98.4 Relatively High
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 96 Relatively High
Drought 73.4 Relatively Moderate
Hail 92.5 Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Not Applicable
Ice Storm 99.1 Very High
Landslide 52.2 Very Low
Lightning 55.1 Relatively Low
Strong Wind 91.1 Relatively High
Tsunami Not Applicable
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 96.3 Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Minnehaha County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Minnehaha County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Sioux Falls, SD at risk of?

Sioux Falls is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Minnehaha County, where Sioux Falls is located, are ice storm, tornado, and winter weather.

What is Sioux Falls's biggest natural hazard risk?

Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Minnehaha County, where Sioux Falls is located, scoring 99.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").

Is Sioux Falls a high-risk area for natural disasters?

Somewhat — Sioux Falls carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Minnehaha County.

Has Sioux Falls had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 18 tornado, 180 hail, 334 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Sioux Falls since 2016.