National Weather ServiceSouth DakotaFlash Flood WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Flash Flood Warnings in South Dakota
The National Weather Service issued 26 flash flood warnings for South Dakota in 2025 and 36 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 40th most of any state. 2026 through September: 21, 41% below the average of 36 for those months in 2008-2025. Lincoln was covered most often (75 times since 2008).
How many flash flood warnings does South Dakota get?
Every flash flood warning that covered part of South Dakota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 21 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 48 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2016 | 33 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 57 |
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 67 |
| 2010 | 75 |
| 2009 | 44 |
| 2008 | 40 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does South Dakota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in South Dakota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 75 | 12 | August 21, 2026 |
| Minnehaha | 72 | 10 | September 6, 2026 |
| Union | 63 | 8 | July 3, 2026 |
| Pennington | 46 | 3 | June 24, 2023 |
| Turner | 42 | 10 | August 21, 2026 |
| Charles Mix | 35 | 5 | September 8, 2026 |
| Clay | 35 | 6 | July 3, 2026 |
| Hutchinson | 35 | 8 | September 5, 2026 |
| Davison | 31 | 6 | September 5, 2026 |
| Aurora | 30 | 3 | June 22, 2024 |
| Yankton | 30 | 6 | July 3, 2026 |
| Moody | 29 | 5 | September 6, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest flash flood warnings for South Dakota in AreaZine's record
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 7, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Charles Mix, SD
Expired 11:00 p.m. CDT, September 7, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Brookings, Minnehaha and Moody, SD
Expired 6:00 p.m. CDT, September 6, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningSeptember 5, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Davison, Hanson and Hutchinson, SD
Expired 8:45 a.m. CDT, September 5, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningAugust 20, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Lincoln and Turner, SD
Expired 11:15 p.m. CDT, August 20, 2026
NWS Sioux FallsWarningJuly 30, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Kingsbury, SD
Expired 2:30 a.m. CDT, July 31, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningJuly 30, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Hughes and Stanley, SD
Expired 12:45 a.m. CDT, July 31, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningJuly 30, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Big Stone, Traverse, Day and 2 more, MN and SD
Expired 12:30 a.m. CDT, July 31, 2026
NWS AberdeenWarningJuly 30, 2026
Flash Flood Warning: Brown and Day, SD
Expired 10:45 p.m. CDT, July 30, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a flash flood warning?
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is happening or about to happen: water rising fast in streams, streets or dry washes, usually within six hours of heavy rain or a dam or levee failure. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in South Dakota.