Minnehaha County hazard data

Sioux Falls, SD Disaster Risk

FEMA rates relative cold wave risk for Minnehaha County as very high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 1.300 per year for the area.

#1 of 2 covered South Dakota cities for cold wave risk β†’FEMA relative score 99.9/100 Β· county scale

FEMA summary

Sioux Falls's cold wave risk is very high at county scale.

FEMA's profile for Minnehaha County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 1.300 per year for cold wave. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is very high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.

Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.

FEMA annualized frequency

1.300 per year

View hazard details ↓
FEMA area population
196,891
Data geography
County equivalent
FEMA relative score
99.9/100
FEMA source
v1.19.0

Explore hazards

Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Minnehaha County.

FEMA NRI profile

Cold Wave

Very High

FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.

Relative FEMA score

99.9/100

FEMA annualized frequency
1.300 per year
FEMA area loss estimate
$13M
Recorded events
21

How to read this

Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.

The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Minnehaha County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.

City risk summary

Cold wave risk in Sioux Falls

For Sioux Falls, FEMA rates cold wave risk for Minnehaha County as very high, with a relative score of 99.9/100. The next highest relative scores are winter weather at 99.6/100 and tornado at 98.7/100.

Using FEMA data for Minnehaha County, Sioux Falls is #1 among 2 covered South Dakota entries for cold wave risk. Sioux City is about 74 straight-line miles from the Sioux Falls map point; its FEMA figures cover Woodbury County.

What to check for cold wave

  • βœ“Check the heating system, insulation, and pipe protection at the property.
  • βœ“Choose a safe backup heat source and install the required alarms.
  • βœ“Plan where the household can stay during a prolonged heat or power outage.

Household preparation

Official guidance β†—

For homeowners and movers

  • βœ“Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions.
  • βœ“Review policy exclusions, deductibles, and temporary-living coverage with a licensed professional.
  • βœ“Keep inspections, inventories, and critical documents in a secure location you can access after an emergency.

Preparedness actions

  • βœ“Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions.
  • βœ“Maintain water, food, lighting, medications, and communications for several days.
  • βœ“Create a household communication plan and practice it before an emergency.
Build your household checklist
Brownstone apartment buildings
Urban Survival

The Apartment Fortress

Living in Sioux Falls? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.

Read the Guide β†’

Where this profile applies

The map shows Sioux Falls. All FEMA figures on this page cover Minnehaha County.

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City
Sioux Falls, SD
FEMA data area
Minnehaha County
County FIPS
46099

Questions about disaster risk in Sioux Falls

The FEMA figures cover Minnehaha County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.

How much cold wave risk does Sioux Falls, SD have?

FEMA rates relative cold wave risk for Minnehaha County as very high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 1.300 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.

Where does Sioux Falls rank for cold wave risk in South Dakota?

Among 2 South Dakota cities covered by this directory, Sioux Falls is #1 for relative cold wave risk based on FEMA's score for Minnehaha County. Homes within Sioux Falls can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.

Which natural hazards rank highest around Sioux Falls?

In FEMA's data for Minnehaha County, the highest relative ratings are Cold Wave (Very High), Winter Weather (Very High), and Tornado (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.

Are the disaster-risk numbers for Sioux Falls or Minnehaha County?

The hazard numbers cover Minnehaha County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.

Is Sioux Falls safe from natural disasters?

FEMA gives Minnehaha County an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.

What should a household in Sioux Falls do first for cold wave preparedness?

Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.

Nearby city comparisons

Distances are measured between city coordinates.

CityDistanceCold Wave ratingRelative score
Sioux City, IA74 miRelatively High87.2

Relevant preparedness gear

Limited to products tagged for cold wave or general preparedness.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site may earn from qualifying purchases.

Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

Tools

Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool

18 tools in one. Essential for turning off gas valves or making repairs.

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Anker PowerCore 10K

Power

Anker PowerCore 10K

Pocket-sized power to keep your phone alive for emergency calls.

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ARCA PET Cat & Dog First Aid Kit

Pets

ARCA PET Cat & Dog First Aid Kit

Comprehensive kit for pets. Includes muzzle, thermometer, and bandages.

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Data sources

Hazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.