Pierre, SD Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Pierre sits along the Missouri River downstream of the Oahe Dam and faces flood risk from dam releases and local tributary flooding. The 2011 Missouri River flood threatened the state capital with record water levels.
Hughes County has recorded 88 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $695K in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 8
NFIP Policies
49
Hughes County
Avg. Premium
$1,547/yr
Hughes County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Hughes County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Very LowEst. annual loss: $5.9M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Hughes County
Hughes County has been included in 6 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
These declarations affected communities across Hughes County, including Pierre.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Hughes County
Properties in Hughes County have filed 88 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $695K in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $8K.
Highest-Claim Years
2011
45 claims - $479K
1999
17 claims - $151K
1997
16 claims - $33K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Hughes County
Only roughly 1 in 143 households in Hughes County carries NFIP flood insurance (0.7% of estimated households). With 31 recorded flood events and $3.3M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
0.7%
roughly 1 in 143 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
88 claims over 45+ years across 49 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$7,898
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Hughes County has averaged 1.8 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Pierre.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Pierre
Pierre faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Pierre are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $5.9M.
Riverine flood risk in Pierre is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Pierre address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Hughes County
Hughes County has 4 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
4
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
1
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
0
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Hughes County
NOAA has recorded 31 flood events in Hughes County since 1996, causing $3.3M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Hughes County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 36 properties in Hughes County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Pierre, SD Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Pierre, SD?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Pierre are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Pierre?
If your Pierre property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Pierre?
Enter your Pierre address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
What type of flooding affects Pierre?
Pierre is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Pierre address.
Has Pierre experienced major flooding events?
Hughes County, where Pierre is located, has been part of 6 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding in 2019. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Pierre?
Hughes County has recorded 88 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $695K in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2011, with 45 claims and $479K in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Pierre.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Pierre?
Hughes County currently has 49 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,547. The most policies are in Zone AE (24 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Pierre properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hughes County has 4 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Pierre property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Pierre?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Pierre's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.