THE FLANDREAU SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE’S
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THE FLANDREAU SANTEE SIOUX TRIBE’S
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT SCOPING
DATED MAY 5, 2025
REQUESTED BY:
NATURAL RESOURCES/EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND
TRIBAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT
Proposals due no later than:
July 2, 2025
I.
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
a. Introduction:
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (the “Tribe” or “FSST”) Indian Reservation is
located in the eastern region of South Dakota and borders the eastern edge of
Minnesota. The reservation contains approximately 7,000 acres located along and
near the Big Sioux River in Moody County, South Dakota and around South Dakota.
This project focuses on reservation land located within Flandreau city limits and is
roughly the size of a quarter section, or 160 acres. (See page 59 of Attachment 1.)
The area includes residential housing, government buildings, business enterprises,
and an undeveloped area.
The project area has a high water table and is subject to heavy precipitation. These
factors, along with poor drainage, often result in flooding in the area east of the Royal
River Casino and Hotel. This causes damage to roads, tribal buildings, and tribal
housing. (See the photographs taken in June 2024 in Attachment 2.) The Tribe seeks
professional services to project scope a solution that mitigates losses from these water
hazards. Project scoping will provide FSST with a conceptual design of a preferred,
cost-effective solution to known flooding problems. The scoping will involve formal
engineering, environmental feasibility, and benefit cost analysis. It will advance the
understanding of the flooding and will propose a solution that meets technical
feasibility and cost-effectiveness. The solution must reduce threats to the health,
welfare, and security of FSST citizens before they occur or re-occur.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Executive Committee, in conjunction with the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), produced the “Flandreau Santee Sioux
Tribe Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2022-2026”, also referred to as the “PDM”, which
is a standard Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The document is a strategic
planning tool for use by the Tribe in efforts to mitigate against future disaster events,
such as those listed above. It is attached to this document with annotations relevant to
this project.
In 2022, the Tribe was selected to receive Building Resilient Infrastructure and
Communities (BRIC) hazard mitigation assistance funding to conduct the project
scoping. The Tribe is also a participant in BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (DTA)
to support award management, contracting, and future project application
development. BRIC DTA can support several components of flood mitigation project
scoping activities including project benefit-cost analysis, data analysis, and technical
feasibility. FEMA DTA can support the FSST’s chosen contractor with these project
components and specifics of these components will be further specified in
coordination with this contract once the contractor has been selected. The selected
contractor must collaborate with FSST staff and FEMA partners.
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe – Request for Proposals
Page 2 of 6
b. Project Scope: The scope of work to be completed includes the following:
•
Hydrology and Hydraulics (H&H)
o Initial Data Collection
Review existing as-built drainage plans and H&H reports for
the project area.
Gather inventory of existing open and closed conduit drainage
features and structures within the project area, field survey
elevations of up to 10 key drainage system structures and
prepare map depicting approximate location.
Gather available GIS/LiDAR data within the project area (e.g.,
existing topographic contours and/or digital elevation model
(DEM) data, recent aerial orthophotography, land cover
characteristics, building footprints, roadways, parcel
boundaries/attributes, utility information, soils characteristics,
delineated wetlands).
Use existing available GIS/LiDAR data to validate the project
area boundary, develop cross sections of the drainage swales,
and create site maps with existing contours, roads, utilities, and
buildings.
o Scoping Engineering Design and Reports
Site visit with the Tribe to identify areas of previous flooding
and/or poor drainage.
H&H analysis:
• Hydrology based on available GIS data and Atlas 14
precipitation data for the 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-year
recurrence interval or as required by local and/or State
standards.
• Coordination with tribal representatives in delineating
areas of future development.
• Hydraulic analysis to estimate existing flood elevations
for the multiple recurrence intervals with inundation
mapping.
Alternative analysis to identify at least three (3) practical
alternative solutions (including a no-action alternative).
Coordination with tribal representatives and FEMA is required
as part of the alternative analysis.
• Alternative analysis should include an evaluation of
offsite impacts, with the goal being to minimize offsite
and upstream/downstream impacts (discharge to river
and adjoining properties).
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe – Request for Proposals
Page 3 of 6
•
•
•
Consideration for impacts of future development and
climate change.
Hydraulic analysis to estimate after mitigation flood
elevations for the multiple recurrence intervals with
inundation mapping for each alternative. Before and
after mitigation conditions should be provided for key
residential and non-residential structures.
Architecture and Engineering (A&E)
o Conceptual design drawings (10%-level) and report with alternative
analysis, identify structural and non-structural mitigation measures.
Develop alternatives identified in the H&H study and the
conceptual design report.
Select preferred alternative.
Perform cost estimates of the alternatives and preferred
alternative.
Develop conceptual design drawing of the preferred
alternative.
o Environmental Study: Provide an environmental investigation with
report and regulatory analysis.
o Archeological and Historic Preservation Study: Provide an
archeological and historic preservation investigation with report.
o Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA): Coordinate with FEMA Region 8 Direct
Technical Assistance staff to provide information developed in the
H&H and A&E tasks to create a BCA in FEMA’s BCA Toolkit 6.0.
All tasks outlined in the scope above should attain relevant goals set forth in Chapter
5 of the PDM, Mitigation Strategy, highlighted in tables 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. This
knowledge will help identify solutions that can significantly increase the resiliency of
FSST resources and reduce threat to life and property.
II.
COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT TERMS
FSST will pay the Contractor a fixed fee to be negotiated. Precise amounts of a
payment terms for these fees will be negotiated by FSST once a Contractor is
selected. Only costs directly related to the project will be paid. Project scoping
includes professional fees and services, travel costs, and supplies. Relevant expenses
will be reimbursed at the federal rate, i.e. mileage.
III.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Firm Background/Biography
b. Key Personnel and Consultants Resumes
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe – Request for Proposals
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c. Project Experience
d. Work Plan to Complete Scope of Work & Schedule
e. Summary of Services and Fees
IV.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
FSST will evaluate responsive proposals based on the following criteria:
a. Previous relevant experience performing project scoping for communities, tribes,
schools, and institutions of similar size and characteristics to those of FSST. (30
points)
b. Experience and qualifications of technical and management teams. (30 points)
c. References. (30 pts) and
d. Proposed pricing. (10 pts)
The following preferences, ranked in order, are permitted in selecting proposals when
they are similarly qualified:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
FSST Tribal Member Veteran
FSST Tribal Member
Lineal Descendants and Spouses of FSST Tribal Members
Other Native American Veteran
Other Native American
Other ethnic minorities and Veterans
Open Selection
The Tribe may request verification of a preferred status.
V.
TIMELINE
Activity
Date
RFP Released
May 5, 2025
Deadline to Submit Questions about
the RFP
May 22 2025
Q&A Document Released
June 2, 2025
Proposal Due Date
July 2, 2025
RFP Proposal Evaluation
July 7 2025
Notification Letter Sent to Proposers
July 21, 2025
Contract Award and Start of Project
August 1, 2025
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe – Request for Proposals
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Findings Due/Project Finished
II.
December 31, 2025
RFP DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS AND Q&A DOCUMENT
Any questions pertaining to the RFP may be submitted by email to Mark Allen
(mark.allen@fsst-nsn.gov), with a copy to Leah Fyten (leah.fyten@fsst-nsn.gov) by
April 4, 2025.
Final answers will be provided via a Q&A document emailed back to the inquirer by
the date listed in Section IV.
VI.
SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
a. Official points of contact: The following individuals are the official points of
contact for this RFP. These individuals are the only authorized contact permitted
to communicate on behalf of FSST about this RFP.
Mark Allen, Emergency Management Coordinator
Emergency Management, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
mark.allen@fsst-nsn.gov
605-573-4272
Leah Fyten, Executive Director
Housing Department, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
leah.fyten@fsst-nsn.gov
605-997-2194
b. Deadline: The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time
on July 2, 2025.
c. Submission Instructions: All proposals must be submitted via email to Mark Allen
and Leah Fyten. All Proposals shall be labeled “FSST Flood Mitigation Project
Scoping” and must address all the evaluation factors to be considered responsive.
VII.
APPENDIX
Attachment 1, FSST Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan 2022 – 2026.
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe – Request for Proposals
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Attachment 1
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
2022-2026
Prepared by: First District Association of Local Governments
418 18th Ave NE
Watertown, SD 57201
Phone: 605-882-5115
Fax: 605-882-5049
www.1stdistrict.org
For: Federal Emergency Management Agency
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
• Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
• Authority for Pre-disaster Mitigation Plan ......................................................................................... 2
• Purpose ............................................................................................................................................ 2
• Use of Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 2
• Scope of Plan ................................................................................................................................... 3
• What is Hazard Mitigation ................................................................................................................ 3
• Tribal Profile ..................................................................................................................................... 4
o History ........................................................................................................................................ 4
o Geographic Setting .................................................................................................................... 5
o Population and Housing ............................................................................................................ 5
o Social and Economic Description .............................................................................................. 8
o Physical Description and Climate .............................................................................................. 8
o Hydrology................................................................................................................................... 9
o Transportation and Utility Infrastructure .................................................................................... 9
o Medical and Emergency Services ........................................................................................... 10
o Technology & Data Collection Capabilities ............................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 2 – PREREQUISITES .............................................................................................................. 13
• Adoption by Local Governing Body ................................................................................................ 13
• Tribal Jurisdiction Plan Participation .............................................................................................. 13
CHAPTER 3 – PLANNING PROCESS ...................................................................................................... 15
• Background .................................................................................................................................... 15
• Documentation of Planning Process .............................................................................................. 16
o Methodology ............................................................................................................................ 16
o Planning Framework ................................................................................................................ 16
o Risk Identification & Assessment/Mitigation Strategy/Review of Plan .................................... 19
CHAPTER 4 – RISK ASSESSMENT ......................................................................................................... 22
• Identification of Hazards................................................................................................................. 22
• Types of Natural Hazards in the PDM Jurisdiction Area ................................................................ 23
• Hazard Profile ................................................................................................................................ 27
o Dam Failure ............................................................................................................................. 28
o Drought .................................................................................................................................... 29
o Wildfire ..................................................................................................................................... 30
o Flood ........................................................................................................................................ 31
o Hail .......................................................................................................................................... 33
o Lightning .................................................................................................................................. 34
o Tornado ................................................................................................................................... 34
o Extreme Temperatures ............................................................................................................ 35
o Thunderstorm and High Wind.................................................................................................. 37
o Winter Storms .......................................................................................................................... 38
• Assessing Vulnerability: Overview ................................................................................................. 40
• Assessing Vulnerability: National Flood Insurance Program Compliance ..................................... 45
• Assessing Vulnerability: Repetitive Loss Properties ...................................................................... 46
• Assessing Vulnerability: Severe Repetitive Loss Properties ......................................................... 47
• Assessing Vulnerability: Identifying Structures .............................................................................. 47
• Assessing Vulnerability: Community Capabilities .......................................................................... 49
• Assessing Vulnerability: Estimating Potential Losses .................................................................... 53
o Flooding ................................................................................................................................... 55
o Tornado ................................................................................................................................... 55
FSST – Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
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•
•
Assessing Vulnerability: Analyzing Development Trends ............................................................. 56
Unique or Varied Risk Assessment ............................................................................................... 57
CHAPTER 5 – MITIGATION STRATEGY .................................................................................................. 60
• Mitigation Overview ........................................................................................................................ 60
• Implementation of Mitigation Actions ............................................................................................. 77
CHAPTER 6 – PLAN MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................................... 78
• Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan .............................................................................. 78
• Continued Public Participation/Involvement................................................................................... 78
• Annual Reporting Procedures ........................................................................................................ 79
• Five-Year PDM Review .................................................................................................................. 79
• Plan Amendments .......................................................................................................................... 79
• Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms ......................................................................... 80
• Potential Funding Sources ............................................................................................................. 80
• Federal ........................................................................................................................................... 81
• Local ............................................................................................................................................... 83
• Non-Governmental ......................................................................................................................... 83
LIST OF TABLES
1.1:
2.1:
2.2:
2.3:
3.1:
3.2:
3.3:
4.1:
4.2:
4.3:
Local Entities ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Plan Participants ................................................................................................................................ 13
Dates of Plan Adoption ...................................................................................................................... 13
Record of Participation ...................................................................................................................... 14
Participation in Plan Development .................................................................................................... 17
Opportunities for Public Comment .................................................................................................... 19
Record of Review (Summary) ............................................................................................................ 21
Significant Hazard Occurrences 2012-2021 ...................................................................................... 22
Hazards Categorized by Likelihood of Occurrence .......................................................................... 23
Presidential Disaster Declarations in South Dakota
Including Flandreau Santee Sioux Nation ......................................................................................... 28
4.4: Dam Locations in Moody County ...................................................................................................... 29
4.5: Moody County 10-year Drought History............................................................................................. 29
4.6: Moody County Structural, Vehicle and Outside (Wildfire) Department Responses .......................... 31
4.7: Moody County 10-year Flood History ................................................................................................ 31
4.8: Moody County 10-year Hail History .................................................................................................. 33
4.9: Moody County 10-year Lightning History .......................................................................................... 34
4.10: Moody County 10-year Tornado History ........................................................................................... 35
4.11: Moody County 10-year Extreme Temperatures History ................................................................... 35
4.12: Moody County 10-year Thunderstorms/High Wind History .............................................................. 37
4.13: Moody County 10-year Snow and Ice Storms History ...................................................................... 39
4.14: Overall Summary of Vulnerability by Jurisdiction ............................................................................... 41
4.15: Communities Participating in the National Flood Program ................................................................ 46
4.16: National Flood Insurance Program Statistics ..................................................................................... 46
4.17: Critical Infrastructure in Flandreau Santee Sioux Nation ................................................................... 48
4.18: Administrative and Technical Capabilities ......................................................................................... 50
4.19: Capabilities of Growth Guidance Instruments ................................................................................... 51
4.20: Moody County (Rural Area) Estimated Potential Dollar Losses to Vulnerable Structures ................ 54
4.21: Flandreau Estimated Potential Dollar Losses to Vulnerable Structures ............................................ 54
4.22: HAZUS-MH Base Flood (1 Percent Chance) Loss Estimation Results (2019) ................................. 54
4.23: Moody County Annualized Losses from Tornadoes .......................................................................... 56
4.24: City of Flandreau Potential Floodplain Development – By Land Use Type ....................................... 56
5.1: Actions/Projects to Reduce Flood Risk through Policy Implementation ............................................ 62
FSST – Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
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5.2: Actions/Projects to Change the Characteristics or Impacts of Flood Hazards .................................. 63
5.3: Actions/Projects to Reduce Loss Potential of Infrastructure to Flood Hazards ................................. 64
5.4: Actions/Projects to Reduce Severe Weather Risk through Policy Implementation ........................... 64
5.5: Actions/Projects to Change the Characteristics or Impacts of Severe Weather Hazards ................. 65
5.6: Actions/Projects to Reduce Loss Potential of Infrastructure to Severe Weather Hazards ................ 65
5.7: Actions/Projects to Reduce Fire and Drought Risk Through Policy Implementation ......................... 67
5.8: Actions/Projects to Reduce Loss Potential of Infrastructure to Fire and Drought Hazards ............... 67
5.9: Actions/Projects to Change the Characteristics or Impacts of Fire and Drought Hazards ................ 68
5.10: Technological Activities ...................................................................................................................... 68
5.11: Planning Activities .............................................................................................................................. 69
5.12: Administration/Coordination Activities ................................................................................................ 69
5.13: Proposed Mitigation Activities ............................................................................................................ 72
LIST OF FIGURES
1.1:
1.2:
1.3:
1.4:
4.1:
4.2:
5.1:
5.2:
Political Map ......................................................................................................................................... 7
2019 Flood Event ............................................................................................................................... 11
2019 Flood Event ............................................................................................................................... 12
2019 Flood Event ............................................................................................................................... 12
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Hazard Vulnerability Map (within Moody County) ............................. 58
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Hazard Vulnerability Map (within City of Flandreau) ........................ 59
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Potential Mitigation Project Map (within Moody County) .................. 75
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Potential Mitigation Project Map (within City of Flandreau) ............. 76
APPENDIX
•
•
•
•
•
Appendix A - Resolution of Adoption ............................................................................................. 85
Appendix B - PDM Planning Team Meeting Records ................................................................... 88
Appendix C – Hazard Identification/vulnerability Worksheets ..................................................... 101
Appendix D - Comprehensive Land Use Maps ............................................................................ 106
Appendix E - References ............................................................................................................. 109
FSST – Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
iv
CHAPTER 1 ꟾ
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (Tribe or FSST) is vulnerable to natural hazards that have the
possibility of causing serious threat to the health, welfare, and security of our citizens. The cost of
response and recovery, in terms of potential loss of life or loss of property, from potential disasters
can be lessened when attention is turned to mitigating their impacts and effects before, they occur
or re-occur.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Executive Council, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), has agreed to produce this plan to assist the Tribe in their mission
to mitigate losses from natural hazards throughout reservation and the communities located
therein.
This plan is the first development of a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan (PDM) for the Tribe. The
document will serve as a strategic planning tool for use by the Tribe in efforts to mitigate against
future disaster events. The plan identifies and analyzes the natural disasters that may occur in the
Tribe’s jurisdiction in order to understand the Tribe’s vulnerabilities and propose mitigation
strategies that minimize future damage caused by those hazards. This knowledge will help
identify solutions that can significantly reduce threat to life and property. The plan is based on the
premise that hazard mitigation works. With increased attention to mitigating natural hazards,
communities can do much to reduce threats to existing citizens and avoid creating new problems
in the future. In addition, many mitigation actions can be implemented at minimal cost.
There have been 625 Major Presidential Disaster Declarations (all hazards) proclaimed in the
United States, of those 625 declarations, 21 have occurred fully or partially within the state of
South Dakota. With five of those declarations including all or portions of Moody County, the Tribe
is no stranger to natural and man-made disasters. In order to prevent and reduce the cost that is
incurred by businesses, citizens, and property owners from these disasters, the Flandreau Santee
Sioux Tribe Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was developed. This plan identifies hazards that occur
throughout the FSST reservation and mitigation projects that will aid in preventing and reducing
the effects of those disasters on the property and lives within. Special consideration has been
given to critical infrastructure through the reservation.
This is not an emergency response or emergency management plan. Certainly, the plan can be
used to identify weaknesses and refocus emergency response planning. Enhanced emergency
response planning is an important mitigation strategy. However, the focus of this plan is to support
better decision making directed toward avoidance of future risks and the implementation of
activities or projects that will eliminate or reduce the risk for those that may already have exposure
to a natural hazard threat.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
1
AUTHORITY FOR PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
In October of 2000, the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA2K) was signed to amend the 1988 Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Section 322 (a-d) requires that local
governments, as a condition of receiving federal disaster mitigation funds, have a pre-disaster
mitigation (PDM) plan in place that:
1. Identifies hazards and their associated risks and vulnerabilities;
2. Develops and prioritizes mitigation projects; and
3. Encourages cooperation and communication between all levels of government and the public.
The objective of this plan is to meet the hazard mitigation planning needs for the Tribe and
participating entities. Consistent with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s guidelines,
this plan will review all possible activities related to disasters to reach efficient solutions, link
hazard management policies to specific activities, educate and facilitate communication with the
public, build public and political support for mitigation activities, and develop implementation and
planning requirements for future hazard mitigation projects.
PURPOSE
The Tribe PDM is a planning tool to be used by the Tribe, as well as other local, state, and federal
units of government, in their efforts to fulfill federal, state, and local hazard mitigation planning
responsibilities; to promote pre and post disaster mitigation measures, short/long range strategies
that minimize suffering, loss of life, and damage to property resulting from hazardous or
potentially hazardous conditions to which citizens and institutions within the county are exposed;
and to eliminate or minimize conditions which would have an undesirable impact on our citizens,
economy, environment, or the well-being of the Tribe. This plan will aid tribal agencies and
officials in enhancing public awareness to the threat hazards have on property and life, and what
can be done to help prevent or reduce the vulnerability and risk of the Tribe’s jurisdiction.
USE OF PLAN
The plan will be used to help the Tribe and their elected and appointed officials:
•
Plan, design and implement programs and projects that will help reduce their community’s
vulnerability to natural hazards.
•
Facilitate inter-jurisdictional coordination and collaboration related to natural hazard mitigation
planning and implementation.
•
•
Develop or provide guidance for local emergency response planning.
Be compliant with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
2
SCOPE OF PLAN
•
Provide opportunities for public input and encourage participation and involvement regarding
the mitigation plan.
•
•
•
•
Identify hazards and vulnerabilities within the Tribe jurisdictions.
•
•
•
•
Prioritize and evaluate each strategy/objective.
Combine risk assessments with public and emergency management ideas.
Develop goals based on the identified hazards and risks.
Review existing mitigation measures for gaps and establish projects to sufficiently fulfill the
goals.
Review other plans for cohesion and incorporation with the PDM.
Establish guidelines for updating and monitoring the plan.
Present the plan to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Executive Council for adoption.
WHAT IS HAZARD MITIGATION?
Hazard mitigation is defined as any cost-effective action(s) that has the effect of reducing, limiting,
or preventing vulnerability of people, property, and the environment to potentially damaging,
harmful, or costly hazards. Hazard mitigation measures, which can be used to eliminate or
minimize the risk to life and property, fall into three categories. First are those that keep the
hazard away from people, property, and structures. Second are those that keep people, property,
and structures away from the hazard. Third are those that do not address the hazard at all but
rather reduce the impact of the hazard on the victims such as insurance. This mitigation plan has
strategies that fall into all three categories.
Hazard mitigation measures must be practical, cost effective, and environmentally and politically
acceptable. Actions taken to limit the vulnerability of society to hazards must not in themselves be
more costly than the value of anticipated damages.
The primary focus of hazard mitigation actions must be at the point at which capital investment
decisions are made and based on vulnerability. Capital investments, whether for homes, roads,
public utilities, pipelines, power plants, or public works, determine to a large extent the nature and
degree of hazard vulnerability of a community. Once a capital facility is in place, very few
opportunities will present themselves over the useful life of the facility to correct any errors in
location or construction with respect to hazard vulnerability. It is for these reasons that zoning and
other ordinances, which manage development in high vulnerability areas, and building codes,
which ensure that new buildings are built to withstand the damaging forces of hazards, are often
the most useful mitigation approaches a jurisdiction can implement.
Previously, mitigation measures have been the most neglected programs within emergency
management. Since the priority to implement mitigation activities is generally low in comparison to
the perceived threat, some important mitigation measures take time to implement. Mitigation
success can be achieved, however, if accurate information is portrayed through complete hazard
identification and impact studies, followed by effective mitigation management. Hazard mitigation
is the key to eliminating long-term risk to people and property in South Dakota from hazards and
their effects. Preparedness for all hazards includes: response and recovery plans, training,
development, management of resources, and mitigation of each jurisdictional hazard.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
3
This plan evaluates the impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities of natural hazards within the
jurisdictional area of the entire Tribe. The plan supports, provides assistance, identifies and
describes mitigation projects for the jurisdictions who participated in the plan update. The
suggested actions and plan implementation for local governments could reduce the impact of
future natural hazard occurrences. Lessening the impact of natural hazards can prevent such
occurrences from becoming disastrous but will only be accomplished through coordinated
partnership with emergency managers, political entities, public works officials, community
planners, and other dedicated individuals working to implement this program.
TRIBAL PROFILE
History
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is comprised primarily of descendants from the
Mdewakantonwan and Wahpekute bands from the Isanti division of the Great Sioux Nation. They
commonly refer to themselves as Dakota, which means friend or ally. The Isanti are comprised of
four bands that lived on the eastern side of the Great Sioux Nation. They were a river-plains
people who did some farming and buffalo hunting.
At the time of European contact, the Dakota lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin. After many years
of semi-nomadic existence, due to pressure from white settlers, the Santee ceded their land and
entered a reservation in 1851.
One of the most prominent figures of the Flandreau Santee Sioux was Chief Little Crow (18101863). Little Crow spent much of his life in Minnesota, where he was the head of a Santee band.
He was a bold and passionate orator and established himself as a spokesman for his people.
After becoming chief, around 1834, he sought justice for his people, but also tried to maintain
relations with non-Indians.
In 1862, he led the uprising, now known as the Minnesota Santee Conflict or Dakota War of 1862,
protesting starvation and the loss of promised land payments from the federal government. The
uprising was crushed quickly, and Little Crow was killed the following year. Hundreds of other
Indians were sentenced to death, but after some pardons were granted, thirty-eight (38) Dakotans
were hung the day after Christmas that year in the largest mass hanging in U.S. history.
After the uprising against reservation life in Minnesota, the remaining Dakota survivors were
exiled from Minnesota and taken as prisoners to Fort Thompson, South Dakota and Davenport,
Iowa. In 1866, the two groups from Fort Thompson and Davenport were re-united at Santee
Agency at the mouth of the Niobrara in Nebraska.
In 1869, twenty-five families settled in Flandreau and gave up their tribal rights and annuities at
Santee and became citizens of the United States. In a clever move, they took advantage of the
Homestead Act and acquired land in the area known as Prairie Coteau, along the Big Sioux River
near the border of Minnesota.
Because many had converted to Christianity while in captivity, shortly after settling in 1873, they
built a little Presbyterian Church and were joined by fifteen additional families. Today the church is
one of the oldest continually used churches in South Dakota, located in present-day Flandreau.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
4
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe was formally organized and recognized under the authority of
the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The Corporate Charter was approved by the Secretary of
the Interior in April and duly ratified by tribal vote on October 31, 1936.
Today, the Tribe’s history is on display at the Moody County Museum in the City of Flandreau and
the Four Winds Cultural Center just north of the City on the Flandreau Indian School campus.
Both locations contain a collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and other historical materials about
the Dakota people.
Geographic Setting
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Indian Reservation is located in the eastern region of South Dakota
and borders the eastern edge of Minnesota. The reservation contains approximately 2,500 acres
located along and near the Big Sioux River in Moody County, South Dakota. This region is
commonly referred to as the Prairie Coteau, which consists primarily of undulating or gently rolling
hills.
FSST also owns ceremonial land in the Black Hills near Deadwood, South Dakota. However, this
plan will focus on Flandreau reservation lands within Moody County.
Population and Housing
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, most data from the 2020 Decennial Census was not available for
comparison. At the time of the drafting of this plan, 2020 Decennial Redistricting data for total
population based on race and total housing occupancy status was available. The 2010 Decennial
Census and the 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates were used for all
other data comparisons and conclusions.
The Flandreau reservation lies within Moody County in east-central South Dakota north of
Minnehaha County, south of Brookings County, east of Lake County and immediately west of the
Minnesota/South Dakota border. Estimated Tribal enrollment of on and off reservation members is
765, according to FSST staff, with 415 tribal members living within the reservation lands (2020
Decennial US Census Redistricting Data). Based on percentages from 2010 Census, it is
approximated that 199 members are male and 216 are female, with approximately 8% of the
population being older than age 65. Education levels of persons aged 25 and older include 83%
high school graduates and 13% with a bachelor’s degree or higher (ACS Census Bureau).
According to the 2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (US Census), the Flandreau
reservation holds a total of 160 housing units within the Flandreau reservation. Of those total
units, 142 units are occupied with 18 left vacant.
In 2010, the total number of housing units was 156, with the majority of occupied housing units
being renter occupied. Almost all vacant units were “for rent” units. The average household size is
3 persons for both owner and renter occupied households. Because total housing units and
population in 2020 is relatively unchanged from 2010, it is likely that the housing trends listed from
2010 will continue through 2020.
The Tribe manages a total of 141 units within the reservation, with 100 of those being rental units.
The unit types range from 35 single-family homes, 3 duplex homes, 2 fair market rent homes, 15
apartments (total of 51 low-income rental units), Tate Win Assisted Living Complex (23 rental
units), and 6 Inkpa Duta Complexes (24 fair market rent units).
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
5
Table 1.1 shows the population and number of housing units of the Tribe, the City of Flandreau,
and Moody County. The reservation’s population and number of housing units has remained
relatively the same since 2000 with minimal increases.
Table 1.1: Local Entities
Name
Population
Location
Housing Units
44 02' 57'' N
Flandreau
2,372
1,072
96 35 43'' W
Flandreau Santee
44 02’ 26” N
415
160
96 35’ 56” W
Sioux Tribe
43 58' 40'' N
Moody County
6,336
2,728
96 39' 50'' W
Source: 2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (US Census), www.Lat-Long.com.
Figure 1.1 contains a map of the Flandreau reservation. The majority of reservation lands
surround the City of Flandreau. Flandreau is the population center and county seat for Moody
County, which is situated 7 miles east of Interstate 29 at the intersection of South Dakota Highway
13 and 32.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
6
Figure 1.1: Political Map
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
7
Social and Economic Description
Most nearby communities have limited retail and service sectors, which provide basic needs to
the Tribe’s members. A large majority of Flandreau reservation residents work locally and have
less than a fifteen-minute commute to work.
Major employers for the Flandreau reservation include the Flandreau Indian School, tribal
government (administration, health care, education centers), and Royal River Casino. All of these
employers are located within the city limits of Flandreau. Farming and leasing of acreages
provides the Tribe with income as well.
As of 2019, the Tribe’s unemployment rate was estimated at 7.4% (Census Bureau), which is a
30% decrease from the unemployment rate recorded by the DOI in 2005. However, the Tribe’s
unemployment rate is still three times higher than that of the State of South Dakota. Medium
household income is estimated to be $41,250, which is an 8.4% increase from the median
household income of $35,500 in 2005.
The Tribe reconstructed their traditional powwow grounds and now host the Flandreau Santee
Sioux Annual Wacipi each summer. The event serves as a cultural and spiritual gathering place
for Native Americans each summer and has grown into a major regional tourist activity.
The Tribe also developed a buffalo herd and continues to operate a farming operation in the rural
area near the City of Flandreau.
Physical Description and Climate
The Flandreau reservation is centrally located along the eastern boundary of South Dakota in
Moody County, with the Big Sioux River, Mud Creek and Flandreau Creek running through the
reservation lands. The topography is generally smooth with a few rolling surfaces. The reservation
is located within the region generally classified as mild and dry continental or Steppe with four
well-defined seasons. The weather can be quite changeable with large day to day temperature
variations, particularly from the fall to the spring. Days with severe winter cold and summer heat
are typical.
Normally the temperature is moderate until the beginning of July, after which short, hot periods
are experienced until the end of August. The freeze-free period is the number of days between
the average last occurrence of freezing temperatures in the spring and the average first
occurrence of 32 degrees F or lower in the fall. The length of the freeze-free period approximates
the length of the growing season which ranges from 130 days or more between May 21st and
September 21st. Topography and local weather conditions can produce subfreezing temperatures
at the ground surface while the air temperature a few feet above the ground remains above 32
degrees F.
Annual average precipitation is 26.6 inches, with over 75% of the precipitation falling from May
through September. Precipitation can vary significantly from year to year, and location to location
within a given year. The heaviest most intense precipitation often occurs with localized downpours
associated with thunderstorms in June through August. Significant flash flooding can result from
these downpours with over 3 inches of precipitation reported in a few events. Widespread heavy
precipitation events of 1 to 2 inches can occur every few years and is most common from April
through June and September through early November.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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Average winter snowfall ranges up to 31.2 inches. The heaviest snowstorms often occur from late
March through May or mid-October to mid-November. These storms can produce more than 12
inches of snow and are often made more severe as temperatures are warmer, and therefore the
snow is heavier and more difficult to travel in and remove. These storms are often accompanied
by high winds resulting in blizzard conditions. In spring these storms can coincide with the calving
season resulting in livestock loss. Mid-winter snowstorms in general produce less than 6 inches of
snow, but heavier amounts to 19 inches or more have occurred. Despite the generally lighter
amounts and drier snow, high winds can result in blizzard conditions. Even without falling snow, in
the colder conditions of mid-winter, high winds can pick up loose snow, resulting in local ground
blizzards.
Severe thunderstorms are common from June into early September. Typically, the greatest
hazards associated with these thunderstorms are very highs winds and large hail. Damage to
structures and crops occurs every summer from these storms. Tornadoes have been reported but
are relatively rare.
An important element of the climate in this area is the often-windy conditions. Average wind
speeds range from 10 to 15 mph depending on the exposure of the location. The average and
peak sustained winds tend to be stronger over higher more exposed terrain. The highest wind
gusts often occur with thunderstorms during the summer, with gusts over 60 mph occurring every
year. The highest sustained winds tend to occur in the spring and fall, with sustained winds over
40 mph occurring every year. Moody County reached straight line wind speeds in excess of 70
mph within the last ten years.
For the purposes of this hazard assessment and mitigation plan, weather is of interest when it
threatens property or life and thus becomes a hazard. The National Weather Service (NWS)
provides short-term forecasts of hazardous weather to the public. In addition to issuing tornado
and severe thunderstorm watches, the NWS also produces regularly scheduled severe weather
outlooks and updates on various forms of hazardous weather including heavy rain and winter
storms.
Hydrology
The water drainage is concentrated entirely in the Big Sioux River Basin, which includes many
smaller intermittent tributaries. Within all of Moody County there are 357.4 stream miles. Moody
County is in the physiographic region of South Dakota known as the Prairie Coteau. In most
places, the drop from the general upland to stream bottom is abrupt. This is most noticeable along
the Big Sioux River where a drop ranging from 100 to 200 feet frequently occurs within a quarter
or half-mile.
Transportation and Utility Infrastructure
There is limited data on the total number of road miles within Flandreau reservation. Moody
County’s road network is composed of a total of 1,036 miles including federal and state highways,
county roads, township roads, municipal street systems, and private roads. The rural road system
performs two basic functions: (1) providing general mobility for the residents in rural areas, and (2)
accommodating the movements of agricultural products to market. The rural transportation
system was not designed to accommodate large volumes of traffic on a daily basis. The
transportation choices are limited to mostly private automobiles traveling over state highways and
county roads.
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9
South Dakota Highway 32 is one of the main east-west routes through the county. This highway
connects the City of Flandreau with the north-south running Interstate 29. The main north-south
route running through the Flandreau reservation is South Dakota Highway 13. This highway
intersects Highway 32 in Flandreau and east-west Highway 34 to the south.
There is one small airport located in Flandreau. The airport is used primarily by local pilots, crop
sprayers, and other light aircraft. The airport does not have any nav-aid or flight service
capabilities. There are no major railroads in or near the Flandreau reservation.
The Big Sioux Community Water System serves the majority of all rural residences. The City of
Flandreau operates its own municipal water system. Regarding wastewater disposal, Flandreau
operates its own municipal wastewater collection and treatment system. Rural residences rely on
individual septic tanks and drainfields. Electric power is provided to rural residents by Otter Tail
Power and Sioux Valley Energy. The City of Flandreau operates their own municipal power
system. MidAmerican Energy operates a natural gas transmission line through Moody County
providing natural gas to businesses and residents in Flandreau. Telephone service is provided by
Interstate Telephone Company (ITC), Wow!, Golden West, Century Link and Media Com. Cellular
phone service is available in most parts of Moody County, but there are still places in the county
where signals are weak.
Medical and Emergency Services
There is one hospital located in Flandreau (Avera Flandreau Medical Center) that serves the
needs of the surrounding area. The Tribe does have the benefit of having the Flandreau Santee
Sioux Tribal Health Clinic also located in Flandreau. This is an ambulatory facility of the Indian
Health Service. The facility is unique in the fact that it offers medical and dental services to the
tribal community. Also, there are two long-term care facilities in Flandreau: Edgewood Assisted
Living and Riverview Healthcare Center.
The Tribe is governed by a seven-member Executive Committee or Tribal Council. The Tribe and
the City of Flandreau have their own police departments that coordinate law enforcement
services. The Moody County Sheriff and his deputies also provide law enforcement throughout
the county.
The Emergency 9-1-1 Center in Flandreau provides 911 services to the Moody County Sheriff’s
Department and other area agencies as well. Those agencies include:
•
•
•
•
Moody County Ambulance Service
Moody County Emergency Management
Three county volunteer fire departments (Flandreau, Colman, and Trent)
South Dakota Highway Patrol
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Technology and Data Collection Capabilities
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe purchased drone equipment to aid in disaster response. Drone
technology offered the Tribe a low-cost and simple way to collect high-quality geospatial and
aerial data after a disaster. The term “drone” refers to an unpiloted aircraft, also referred to as an
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Drones can range from being remotely controlled or fly
autonomously relying on sensors or software to calculate its movements. Originally developed for
military and aerospace industries, drones have gained popularity in the civilian consumer market
because of their ability to enhance levels of safety and efficiency, while decreasing risk and
potential loss of life.
The Tribe intends to use the drone to help disaster responders rapidly identify impacted areas,
determine the extent of damage and size of affected area, and create safe access routes to the
disaster area. The drone-collected data can also be used for future pre-disaster mitigation
constructure and infrastructure projects, such as identifying locations for a tornado shelter or
preventing structures from being placed in historically flood-prone areas.
The Tribe used drone equipment to capture images of widespread flooding from the Big Sioux
River that occurred in March and April of 2019. Most of the land affected was pasture or
agricultural-related. However, there were at least two rural, single-family residences that were
completely surrounded by flood waters from Flandreau Creek.
Figure 1.2: 2019 Flood Event
228th Street North of FSST Powwow Grounds
(Aerial View Looking Northeast)
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Figure 1.3: 2019 Flood Event
Area Northeast of FSST Powwow Grounds
(Aerial View Looking North from West Side of Powwow Grounds)
Figure 1.4: 2019 Flood Event
FSST Powwow Grounds
(Aerial View Looking East)
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CHAPTER 2 ꟾ
PREREQUISTES
ADOPTION BY LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
The local governing body that oversees the development of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan is the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Executive Council. The Council
has tasked the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Emergency Management Coordinator with the
responsibility of ensuring that the PDM is compliant with Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Guidelines and corresponding regulations.
TRIBAL JURISDICTIONAL PLAN PARTICIPATION
Requirement 201.7(c)(6). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – E1.
Requirement 201.7(c)(5). Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool – E2.
This plan serves the entire geographical area located within the boundaries of the Flandreau
reservation. Because the Tribe often collaborates with Moody County and the City of Flandreau,
both entities elected to participate in the planning process for the development of the Tribal PDM
as partners. Table 2.1 shows the participating local jurisdictions.
Table 2.1: Plan Participants
Participants
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
Partners
City of Flandreau
Moody County
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will pass a resolution to adopt the new PDM plan. The date of
adoption by resolution is shown in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2: Dates of Plan Adoption by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
Date of Adoption
06/08/2022
Representatives from FSST, the city of Flandreau, Moody County, local fire departments, and
local businesses were invited to the planning meetings. Those in attendance provided valuable
perspective on the elements required for the plan. All representatives in attendance took part in
the risk assessment exercise at the July 29th, 2021 kickoff meeting.
Representatives in attendance took information from the PDM planning meetings back to their
respective councils/organizations and presented the progress of the plan development.
Representatives of the PDM Team met with First District staff to provide feedback and oversight
into the draft plan. Those participants identified in Table 2.1 that did not attend a PDM Planning
Team meeting, participated in the planning process by reviewing information relevant to their
communities and providing feedback by email or telephone conversations. A final meeting was
held to make final comments and corrections and provide a motion to submit the plan to FEMA.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
13
The Tribe also presented the Resolution of Adoption to their council and will pass the resolution
upon FEMA approval of the PDM update. The Resolution is included in the Appendix.
Table 2.3 was derived to help define “participation” for adopting the plan. To be considered
“participating,” the jurisdiction must have at least seven of the ten participation requirements
fulfilled.
Table 2.3: Record of Participation
Nature of Participation
Attended Meetings or work sessions
(a minimum of 1 meeting will be
considered satisfactory).
Submitted inventory and summary of
reports and plans relevant to hazard
mitigation.
Submitted the Risk Assessment
Worksheet.
Submitted description of what is at
risk (including local critical facilities
and infrastructure at risk from
specific Hazards worksheet).
Submitted a description or map of
local land-use patterns (current and
proposed/ expected).
FSST
Developed goals for the community.
◼
Developed mitigation actions with an
analysis/ explanation of why those
actions were selected.
Prioritized actions emphasizing
relative cost-effectiveness.
◼
◼
◼
◼
NA
◼
◼
Reviewed and commented on draft
Plan.
◼
Hosted opportunities for public
involvement (allowed time for public
comment at a minimum of 1 tribal
council meeting after giving a status
report on the progress of the PDM
update).
◼
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CHAPTER 3 ꟾ
PLANNING PROCESS
BACKGROUND
The effort that led to the development of this plan is part of the larger, integrated approach to
hazard mitigation planning in South Dakota that is led by the South Dakota Office of Emergency
Management. Production of the plan was the ultimate responsibility of the FSST Emergency
Management Coordinator, who served as the tribe’s point of contact for all activities associated
with this plan. Input was received from the PDM Planning Team that was put together by the
Emergency Management Coordinator and whose members are listed below in Table 3.1.
The plan itself was written by an outside contractor, First District Association of Local
Governments (First District) of Watertown, South Dakota, one of the state’s six regional planning
entities. The office has an extensive amount of experience in producing various kinds of planning
documents, including municipal ordinances, land use plans, and zoning ordinances, and it is an
acknowledged leader in geographic information systems (GIS) technology in South Dakota. First
District assisted the Tribe in the development of their first PDM. The following staff members of
the First District Association of Local Governments participated in the production of 2022 plan.
Payton Carda, Planner/Economic Development Officer, was the project manager of the plan.
Carda attended the PDM Planning Team meetings as the plan was being developed. Amy Arnold,
Geographic Information Systems Planner, produced all the maps for the plan. Luke Muller,
Planner, directed the floodplain risk analysis (see next section) and completed the county land
cover analysis discussed in the previous chapter.
Additional research and information gathering were provided by Payton Carda. Several other
individuals at the state level provided additional support and information that was quite useful,
which include:
•
Marc Macy, South Dakota National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator – provided
classification and information regarding value and number of flood insurance policies and
claims, as well as guidance and direction as the plan was being developed.
•
South Dakota State Fire Marshall Office – provided information on fire events in Moody
County. The Flandreau Santee Sioux reservation is located within this county.
•
Whitney Kilts, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Dam Safety – provided
information on dams located in Moody County. The Flandreau Santee Sioux reservation is
located within this county.
•
SD Department of Transportation – provided bridges and road mileage information within
Moody County.
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DOCUMENTATION OF THE PLANNING PROCESS
Methodology
Mitigation planning is a process that communities use to identify policies, activities, and tools to
implement mitigation actions. The process that was used to develop this plan consisted of the
following steps:
•
•
•
•
•
Planning Framework
Risk Identification and Assessment
Mitigation Strategy
Review of Plan
Plan Adoption and Maintenance
Planning Framework
The planning framework component identified five objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
Develop Plan to Plan;
Establish PDM Planning Team
Define Scope of the Plan;
Identify Governmental Entities/Stakeholders; and
Develop Mitigation Strategies
Funding from FEMA to prepare the mitigation plan was awarded to the Tribe in December 2020.
Once funding was secured, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Emergency Management Coordinator
and the First District functioned as the initial PDM Planning Team in order to discuss the strategy
to be used to develop the plan. The first task was to identify those entities/stakeholders that would
have direct and indirect interests in the update of the PDM.
Prior to the first public informational meeting, the FSST Emergency Management Coordinator
wrote emails to all the stakeholders, community organizations, municipalities, emergency
responders, and concerned residents who might wish to volunteer their time and serve on a
committee, and to those who would act as a resource for the PDM Planning Team. The
Emergency Manager in the adjoining county (Moody County) was extended an invitation via
email. The emails included a brief description of the PDM. Public input was solicited via notices
regarding the PDM planning process in local media outlets and via the Internet.
Each individual who was contacted for the PDM Planning Team had at least one of the following
attributes to contribute to the planning process:
•
•
•
Significant understanding of how hazards affect the Tribe and participating jurisdictions.
Substantial knowledge of the Tribe’s infrastructure system.
Resources at their disposal to assist in the planning effort, such as maps or data on past
hazard events.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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Table 3.1 lists the PDM Planning Team members and their attendance at the planning meetings,
all of which were open to the public, which were held as the plan was being developed. An
agenda was sent out to the PDM Planning Team prior to each meeting, and the meeting minutes
were sent to them afterward to keep everybody informed of what was discussed and any
decisions that were made.
Table 3.1: Participation in Plan Development
Invited
Last Name
Anderson
First
Name
Entity Represented
Meeting Attendance
Job Title
Meeting 1
Scott
FSST Land Management
Land Manager
Albers
Terry
Moody County Emergency
Management
Emergency
Director (2021)
Allen
Mark
FSST Emergency
Management
EM Coordinator
Alvarez
Emily
FEMA Mitigation Division
Community
Planner
Arnold
Brian
FSST Police Department
Police Chief
Bernard
Randy
FSST Land Management
Officer
Carda
Payton
First District Association of
Local Governments
Planner
Charles
Jerrick
Moody County Emergency
Management
Emergency
Direction (2022)
Edwards
Nicole
FEMA Mitigation Division
Tribal HMA
Specialist
Fisherman
Elizabeth
FSST Housing Authority
Executive
Director
Huston
Joan
FEMA Mitigation Division
Senior Tribal
Mitigation
Specialist
◼
Cynthia
FSST Health Center
Chief Executive
Officer
◼
Jacobs
Kitto
Bill
FSST
Maintenance
Director
Tribal Historic
Preservation
Officer
Kills-A-Hundred
Garrie
FSST Historic Preservation
Marshall
Shelli
FSST Housing
Nelson
Steve
Royal River Casino & Hotel
Compliance
Officer
Poller
Alan
FSST Police Department
Officer
Reider
Anthony
FSST Executive Council
Schrader
Jon
FSST Executive Council
Spade
Tim
FSST
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
Meeting 2
Meeting 3
Meeting 4
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
Housing Authority
Executive Council
President
Executive Council
Member
◼
◼
◼
◼
◼
Water Quality
Specialist
17
Leadership and guidance in the planning effort and at the planning meetings was provided by the
First District staff and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Emergency Management Coordinator. By
request of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, all meetings were held virtually due to concerns
over spread of the ongoing COVID-19, or coronavirus, Pandemic. An agenda was distributed to
each PDM Planning Team member prior to each meeting, but free-flowing discussion was always
encouraged. When PDM Planning Team members had questions about a topic of discussion,
either First District staff or the Emergency Management Coordinator provided supporting
information.
Generally speaking, the planning process associated with the plan’s development was relaxed
and informal. No subcommittees were formed, and all decisions were made by mutual consensus
of the PDM Planning Team members - no votes were taken, or motions made. Everyone’s opinion
was respected, nobody was discouraged from voicing their opinion, and no one was made to feel
any less important than anyone else.
As the PDM Planning Team was being assembled, arrangements were made for the first PDM
Planning Team meeting, which took place over a public teleconference over Zoom on July 29th,
2021. An agenda was distributed to prospective PDM Planning Team members. The Appendix
includes a copy of each meeting agenda, an attendance sheet from each meeting, and the
minutes from each meeting.
Those who attended the July 2021 meeting for the PDM development were asked to volunteer to
serve on the PDM Planning Team. The PDM Planning Team was tasked with fostering
coordination between the various entities involved; reviewing the drafts and providing comments
after First District Association of Local Governments staff drafted the plan. There were no external
contributors such as contractors or private businesses.
The representatives were asked to share the progress of the plan at their entities’ meetings and to
ensure that those attending the meetings were aware that they are invited to make comments on
and participate in the process of updating the new plan. Comments provided by local residents at
the tribal council and PDM Planning Team meetings were collected and incorporated into the
plan. Representatives who did not attend a PDM Planning Team meeting were informed of
meeting outcomes and provided comment during the drafting stages and as the First District
continued to meet with the PDM Planning Team.
The public was provided several opportunities to comment on the plan during the drafting stages
at the PDM Planning Team meetings. There were several work sessions and public hearings held
to keep the public updated and involved in the plan. Primarily, public input included the
involvement in hazard assessment and mitigation projects. Those who were most involved were
the representatives of the PDM Planning Team and representatives from the Executive Council.
Table 3.2 identifies the location and date of each opportunity that was provided for the public to
comment and how it was advertised.
The first meeting of the PDM Planning Team served to introduce the participants to the concept of
mitigation planning; why the plan was being drafted and how the process would proceed in the
months to come (scheduling, assigning responsibilities, etc.). The meeting also included a review
of the main sections of the plan, which led to two important decisions. The PDM Planning Team
decided that:
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
18
•
Detailed information and data regarding the risk assessment was needed, detailed informative
tables and maps would be helpful, and the mitigation strategy needed to be well thought out.
•
The risk identification and assessment as well as the identification of critical infrastructure and
local goals and objectives should be completed by the First District prior to the second
meeting of the PDM Planning Team.
Table 3.2: Opportunities for Public Comment
Location of
Opportunity
Flandreau
Santee
Sioux Tribe
Type of Participation
Date
How Was Meeting
Advertised
PDM
Meeting
Public
Notice
07/29/2021
◼
◼
10/20/2021
◼
◼
02/15//2022
05/02/2022
◼
◼
◼
◼
Website
PDM Grant
Application
2020
◼
◼
Risk Identification & Assessment/Mitigation Strategy/Review of Plan
Requirement 201.7(c)(1). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – A1.
Requirement 201.7(c)(1)(ii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – A3.
Requirement 201.7(c)(1)(iii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – A4.
The Risk Identification and Assessment component identified three objectives: Collect and
Organize Data, Develop GIS Data, and Analyze Data. The Mitigation Strategy component
identified five objectives: Review other plans, Formation of Goals/Objectives, Compile existing
resources to accomplish goals/objectives, Public development of Goals/Objectives, and PDM
Planning Team development of goals/objectives. The development of PDM component identified
three objectives: Writing of PDM, Public Review of PDM, and PDM Planning Team Review of
PDM.
Based upon the discussions and information provided at the first meeting, the Planning Team
determined that identification of Critical Infrastructure and discussion of the PDM Risk
Assessment were a top priority to complete prior to formulation of Mitigation Strategies and other
sections of the Plan. These items were discussed prior to the end of the first meeting. Before the
second meeting, First District Staff created the Introduction, Pre-requisites, Risk Assessment,
Mitigation Strategy, and Plan Implementation components of the PDM.
At the second meeting held in October 2021, staff members/representatives from FSST were
asked to discuss development trends and develop mitigation goals. First District staff also
conducted research regarding the history of disaster events affecting the Flandreau reservation in
Moody County. Meeting dates are referenced in Table 3.2.
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19
First District also conducted a technical review of existing documents. This review incorporated
existing plans, studies, reports, technical information, zoning, and flood damage prevention
ordinances into the PDM development. However, the Tribe was lacking many of these planning
documents. Because of this, planning documents related to Moody County and the City of
Flandreau were included since some reservation lands are located within these jurisdictions.
Additionally, the 2020 Moody County PDM plan was used as a resource for the new FSST plan
because most of the natural hazard profile research would be the same due to shared location. In
addition to the PDM, the First District reviewed several other existing documents including but not
limited to the State of South Dakota Hazard Mitigation Plan and Flood Insurance Rate Maps for
the nearby local jurisdictions. A summary of the technical review and incorporation of existing
plans is included in Table 3.3.
The list of hazards that the PDM Planning Team decided to focus on is presented in Chapter 4. A
profile of each of the hazards was begun at this meeting. Discussion also occurred regarding the
existing strategies being used to mitigate each hazard, with a particular emphasis on the critical
and essential facilities within the community.
The PDM Planning Team also dealt with the Mitigation Strategy at the October 2021 meeting.
Formation of the strategy began with a review of the results of the risk assessment, which led to
discussion about the goals to be achieved with the mitigation plan. The list of goals is included in
Chapter 5.
At the third PDM Team meeting held on February 15th, the PDM Planning Team reviewed the
updates prepared by the First District. This included first a review of the hazards identified in the
State of South Dakota Hazard Mitigation Plan. First District staff also provided an overview of the
information regarding community history, critical facilities, risk identification, hazard vulnerability
and mitigation goals identified by the Tribe.
At the meeting, the PDM Planning Team reviewed goals developed by the emergency
management office and the list of proposed actions developed at the previous meeting. The rest
of the meeting was spent reviewing the priorities and the mitigation actions identified by the
participating entities. There was also discussion on how the plan would be implemented. It was
emphasized that cooperation between the Tribe and the neighboring jurisdictions was especially
important, and discussion occurred about how this could best be achieved. Representatives from
the jurisdictions were made aware of the critical role they needed to play to ensure the success of
the mitigation strategy, such as implementing specific mitigation actions. The Emergency
Management Coordinator emphasized the importance of ensuring that no local decisions be
made, or actions taken contrary to the goals of this plan. Additionally, responsible parties were
identified for reporting on progress being made to implement the proposed mitigation actions, for
evaluating the plan’s overall effectiveness, and for getting the public more involved in the planning
process.
At the end of the meeting the First District was instructed to conduct an internal review of the
document and instructed to post the updated draft plan on the First District Association of Local
Governments and Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe websites.
On March 15th, 2022, a preliminary draft of the plan was posted on the First District website.
Notice was emailed to all of the participants and to the emergency manager in neighboring Moody
County. All members of the FSST Executive Council were also notified. Everyone who received
an email copy of the plan draft was allowed at least forty-five days to comment on the draft.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
20
The fourth and final meeting of the PDM Planning Team was subsequently held on May 2nd, 2022
to review and discuss the final draft as amended based upon comments from the planning team
and community. At the meeting, the PDM Planning Team recommended that the plan be
submitted to FEMA. The final draft of the plan was again posted on the First District Association of
Local Governments website and emailed to all of the participants.
Table 3.3: Record of Review (Summary)
Referenced in Plan
Existing
Program/Policy/Technical
Documents
Flandreau
Flandreau
Santee
Sioux
Moody
County
Comprehensive Plan
✓
NA
✓
Capital Improvement Plan
O
NA
NA
Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance
✓
NA
✓
Pg. 45-47
Economic Development
Plan
NA
NA
NA
Pg. 69-71
Local Emergency
Operations Plan
C
C
✓
Pg. 19
Transportation Plan
C
BIA
✓
Pg. 9-10
Flood Insurance Studies or
Engineering studies for
streams
✓
✓
✓
Pg. 45-47
Hazard Vulnerability
Analysis (by the local
Emergency Management
Agency)
✓
✓
✓
Pg. 22
Emergency Operations
Plan
C
C
✓
Pg. 45
Zoning Ordinance
✓
NA
✓
Pg. 50-51
Site Plan Review
✓
✓
✓
Pg. 68
Subdivision Ordinance
✓
NA
✓
Pg. 51
Drainage Ordinance
NA
NA
✓
Pg. 51
Floodplain Ordinance
✓
NA
✓
Pg. 51
Existing Land Use maps
✓
NA
✓
State Hazard Mitigation
Plan
✓
✓
✓
Appendix E
All
Chapters
Appendix E
NA
The jurisdiction does not have this program/policy/technical document.
O
The jurisdiction has the program/policy/technical document but did not review/incorporate it in the
mitigation plan.
C
The jurisdiction is regulated under the County’s policy/program/technical document.
BIA
The jurisdiction is regulated under the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ policy/program/technical document.
✓
The jurisdiction reviewed the program/policy/technical document.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
21
CHAPTER 4 ꟾ
RISK ASSESSMENT
IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDS
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B1.
In this chapter, the hazards that were identified by the PDM Planning Team as having the most
significance for the Tribe are analyzed. As part of the analysis, various maps and tables were
produced and are included within this chapter. The planning participants began the risk
assessment process by reviewing the State of South Dakota Hazard Mitigation Plan. The PDM
Planning Team choose to review records of hazard events that have occurred throughout all of
Moody County, due to the lack of recorded weather data that has occurred within FSST lands.
The PDM Planning Team reviewed records of hazard events that have occurred since 2000,
relying primarily on data from the National Climatic Data Center’s Storm Events Database. A
summary of the findings for significant hazard occurrences from the past ten years is provided
below in Table 4.1. The PDM Planning Team also identified potential hazards by observing
development patterns, interviews from adjacent towns, public meetings, PDM work sessions,
previous disaster declarations and research of the history of hazard occurrences located within
Moody County.
Table 4.1: Significant Hazard Occurrences 2012-2021
# of Occurrences
Since 2012
Source
Drought
13
NOAA & University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Wildfire/Forest Fire
104
State Fire Marshall's Office
Flood
32
NOAA
Hail
22
NOAA
Lightning
4
NOAA
Tornado
3
NOAA
Temperature Extremes
15
NOAA
Thunderstorm and High Wind
32
NOAA
Winter Storms
31
NOAA
Type of Hazard
Hazards were analyzed in terms of the hazard’s probability of occurrence in the county. The PDM
Planning Team were asked to complete worksheets that categorized hazards by the likelihood of
occurrence for either their specific geographical location, or for county-wide risks.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
22
Every possible hazard or disaster was evaluated and placed into one of three separate columns
depending on the likelihood of the disaster occurring in the PDM jurisdiction. Hazards that occur
at least once a year or more were placed in the High Probability column; hazards that may have
occurred in the past or could occur in the future but do not occur on a yearly basis were placed in
the low probability column; and hazards or disasters that have never occurred in the area before
and are unlikely to occur in the PDM jurisdiction any time in the future were placed in the Unlikely
to Occur column. While man-made hazards were discussed briefly during the completion of the
worksheets, the PDM Planning Team decided to eliminate man-made hazards from the PDM
because those types of hazards are difficult to predict and assess due to wide variations in the
types, frequencies, and locations. Types and scopes of manmade hazards are unlimited.
Due to the topographical features of Moody County and the nature of the natural hazards that
affect the geographical area covered by this PDM, most areas of the county have similar
likelihood of being affected by the natural hazards identified. Only the natural hazards from the
High Probability and Low Probability Columns will be further evaluated throughout this plan, with
an emphasis on the High Probability hazards. All hazards in the Unlikely to Occur column will not
be further evaluated in the plan. Table 4.2 is an adjusted list of hazards produced from the FEMA
worksheets completed by the PDM Planning Team.
Table 4.2: Hazards Categorized by Likelihood of Occurrence
High Probability
Freezing Rain/Sleet/Ice
Strong Winds
Thunderstorm
Heavy Snow
Low Probability
Drought
Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat
Hail
Heavy Rain
Lightning
Rapid Snow Melt
Tornado
Urban Fire
Wildfire
Unlikely to Occur
Dam Failure
Earthquake*
Flood
Ice Jam
Landslide
Subsidence
* Earthquakes are marked with an asterisk because they occur but are so small
that the effects are minimal. Thus, mitigation measures specifically for
earthquakes are not a priority.
TYPES OF NATURAL HAZARDS IN THE PDM JURISDICTION AREA
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B1.
Some descriptions of the natural hazards likely to occur in FSST jurisdiction were taken directly
from the 2020 Moody County PDM because the FSST reservation lies within the boundaries of
Moody County. Most of the descriptions were revised for better clarity. For the purpose of
consistency throughout the plan, additional definitions were included to reflect all the hazards that
have a chance of occurring in the area and all the hazards are alphabetized. For all the hazards
identified, the probability of future occurrence is expected to be the same for all the jurisdictions
covered in the PDM.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
23
Blizzards are a snowstorm that lasts at least three hours with sustained wind speeds of thirty-five
miles per hour (mph) or greater, visibility of less than one-quarter mile, temperatures lower than
20°F and white out conditions. Snow accumulations vary, but another contributing factor is loose
snow existing on the ground which can get whipped up and aggravate the white out conditions.
When such conditions arise, blizzard warnings or severe blizzard warnings are issued. Severe
blizzard conditions exist when winds obtain speeds of at least forty-five mph plus a great density
of falling or blowing snow and a temperature of 10°F or lower. At least one blizzard should occur
each year within Moody County.
Drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water
supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It
can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region. Although
droughts can persist for several years, even a short, intense drought can cause significant
damage and harm the local economy. This global phenomenon has a widespread impact on
agriculture. The chance of drought events occurring annually is low.
Dam Failure Dams function to serve the needs of flood control, recreation, and water
management. During a flood, a dam’s ability to serve as a control agent may be challenged. An
excessive amount of water may result in a dam breach, simply an overflowing. Dams that are old
or unstable, dams that receive extreme amounts of water, or dams that get debris pile-up behind
their face may result in dam failure, a cracking and/or breaking. Moody County has five (5) dams,
with none of the dams having the potential to endanger lives or damage property. Dam failure was
considered unlikely to occur by the PDM Planning Team, however, is detailed here because it
was determined to be the most likely of the “Unlikely to Occur” hazards.
Earthquakes are a sudden rapid shaking of the earth caused by the shifting of rock beneath the
earth's surface. Earthquakes can cause buildings and bridges to collapse, disrupt gas, electric
and phone lines, and often cause landslides, flash floods, fires, avalanches, and tsunamis. Larger
earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors but rapidly take the form of one or more violent
shocks and are followed by vibrations of gradually diminishing force called aftershocks. The
underground point of origin of an earthquake is called its focus; the point on the surface directly
above the focus is the epicenter. The Richter Scale measures earthquake intensity. The potential
for an earthquake to occur within Moody County is less than 1% annually.
Extreme Cold What constitutes extreme cold and its effects can vary across different areas of the
country. In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are
considered “extreme cold,” however, Eastern South Dakota is prone to much more extreme
temperatures than other areas in the country. Temperatures typically range between zero degrees
Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so extreme cold could be defined in the Moody County
PDM jurisdiction area as temperatures below zero. The Wind Chill Chart is used to measure
extreme cold. At least one extreme cold event should occur each year.
Extreme Heat, also known as a Heat Wave, is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather,
which may be accompanied by high humidity. There is no universal definition of a heat wave; the
term is relative to the usual weather in the area. Temperatures in Moody County have a very wide
range typically between 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore anything outside those ranges
could be considered extreme. The term is applied both to routine weather variations and to
extraordinary spells of heat which may occur only once a century. The Heat Index measures the
impact of extreme heat on people and livestock.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
24
Flooding is an overflow of water that submerges land, producing measurable property damage or
forcing evacuation of people and vital resources. Floods can develop slowly as rivers swell during
an extended period of rain, or during a warming trend following a heavy snow. Even a very small
stream or dry creek bed can overflow and create flooding. Two different types of flooding hazards
are present within Moody County.
1. Inundation flooding occurs most often in the spring. The greatest risks are realized typically
during a rapid snowmelt, the time before ice is completely off all of the rivers.
2. Flash flooding is more typically realized during the summer months. This flooding is primarily
localized, though enough rain can be produced to cause inundation flooding in areas along
the Big Sioux River and its tributaries. Heavy, slow-moving thunderstorms often produce large
amounts of rain. The threat of flooding would be increased during times of high soil moisture.
National Flood Insurance Rate maps designate 100-year and 500-year floodplain zones. Areas
subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event are designated 100-year
floodplain. Moderate risk areas within the 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain are designated
500-year floodplain. Moody County should anticipate having one flood event each year.
Freezing Rain/Ice occurs when temperatures drop below thirty degrees Fahrenheit and rain
starts to fall. Freezing rain covers objects with ice, creating dangerous conditions due to slippery
surfaces, platforms, sidewalks, roads, and highways. Sometimes ice is unnoticeable and is then
referred to as black ice. Black ice creates dangerous conditions, especially for traffic. Additionally,
a quarter inch of frozen rain can significantly damage trees, electrical wires, weaken structures,
and other objects due to the additional weight bearing down on them.
Hail is formed through rising currents of air in a storm. These currents carry water droplets to a
height at which they freeze and subsequently fall to earth as round ice particles. Hailstones
usually consist mostly of water ice and measure between 5 and 150 millimeters in diameter, with
the larger stones coming from severe and dangerous thunderstorms. Moody County has a 100%
potential for hail occurring each year.
Heavy Rain is defined as precipitation falling with intensity in excess of 0.30 inches (0.762 cm)
per hour. Short periods of intense rainfall can cause flash flooding while longer periods of
widespread heavy rain can cause rivers to overflow. At least one heavy rain event will occur in
Moody County annually.
Ice Jams occur when warm temperatures and heavy rain cause snow to melt rapidly. Snow melt
combined with heavy rains can cause frozen rivers to swell, which breaks the ice layer on top of
the river. The ice layer often breaks into large chunks, which float downstream and often pile up
near narrow passages and other obstructions, such as bridges and dams.
Landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such
as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal,
and onshore environments. Although the action of gravity is the primary driving force for a
landslide to occur, there are other contributing factors build up specific sub-surface conditions that
make the area/slope prone to failure, whereas the actual landslide often requires a trigger before
being released.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
25
Lightning results from a buildup of electrical charges that happens during the formation of a
thunderstorm. The rapidly rising air within the cloud, combined with precipitation movement within
the cloud, results in these charges. Giant sparks of electricity occur between the positive and
negative charges both within the atmosphere and between the cloud and the ground. When the
potential between the positive and negative charges becomes too great, there is a discharge of
electricity, known as lightning. Lightning bolts reach temperatures near 50,000˚ F in a split
second. The rapid heating and expansion, and cooling of air near the lightning bolt causes
thunder. There is a 100% chance of lightning occurring in Moody County each year.
Severe Winter Storms deposit four or more inches of snow in a twelve-hour period or six inches
of snow during a twenty-four-hour period. Such storms are generally classified into four categories
with some taking the characteristics of several categories during distinct phases of the storm.
These categories include freezing rain, sleet, snow, and blizzard. Generally winter storms can
range from moderate snow to blizzard conditions and can occur between October and April. The
months of May, June, July, August, and September could possibly see snow, though the chance
of a storm is very minimal. Like summer storms, winter storms are considered a weather event not
a natural hazard, and thus will not be evaluated as a natural hazard throughout this PDM.
Sleet does not generally cling to objects like freezing rain, but it does make the ground very
slippery. This also increases the number of traffic accidents and personal injuries due to falls.
Sleet can severely slow down operations within a community. Not only is there a danger of
slipping, but with wind, sleet pellets become powerful projectiles that may damage structures,
vehicles, or other objects.
Snow is a common occurrence throughout Moody County during the months from October to
April. Average annual snowfall for within the county is about thirty inches. Accumulations in dry
years can be as little as five to ten inches, while wet years can see yearly totals up to eighty
inches. Snow is a major contributing factor to flooding, primarily during the spring months of
melting.
Strong winds are usually defined as winds over forty miles per hour, are not uncommon in the
area. Winds over fifty miles per hour can be expected twice each summer. Strong winds can
cause destruction of property and create safety hazards resulting from flying debris. Strong winds
also include severe localized wind blasting down from thunderstorms. These downward blasts of
air are categorized as either microbursts or macrobursts depending on the amount geographical
area they cover. Microbursts cover an area less than 2.5 miles in diameter and macrobursts cover
an area greater than 2.5 miles in diameter. Multiple strong wind events will occur throughout
Moody County annually.
Subsidence is defined as the gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land. The opposite of
subsidence is uplift, which results in an increase in elevation. There are several types of
subsidence such as dissolution of limestone, mining-induced, faulting induced, isostatic rebound,
extraction of natural gas, groundwater related, and seasonal effects.
Summer Storms are generally defined as atmospheric hazards resulting from changes in
temperature and air pressure which cause thunderstorms that may cause hail, lightning, strong
winds, and tornados. Summer storms are considered a weather event rather than a natural
hazard; therefore, summer storms are not evaluated as a natural hazard throughout this PDM.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
26
Thunderstorms are formed when moisture, rapidly rising warm air, and a lifting mechanism such
as clashing warm and cold air masses combine. The three most dangerous items associated with
thunderstorms are hail, lightning, and strong winds.
Tornados are violent windstorms that may occur singularly or in multiples as a result of severe
thunderstorms. They develop when cool air overrides warm air, causing the warm air to rapidly
rise. Many of these resulting vortices stay in the atmosphere, though touchdown can occur. The
Fujita Tornado Damage Scale categorizes tornadoes based on their wind speed:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
F0=winds less than 73 m/h
F1=winds 73-112 m/h
F2=winds 113-157 m/h
F3=winds 158-206 m/h
F4=winds 207-260 m/h
F5=winds 261-318 m/h
F6=winds greater than 318 m/h
Wildfires are uncontrolled conflagrations that spread freely through the environment. Other
names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, grass fire, hill fire, peat fire, vegetation fire, and
wildfire may be used to describe the same phenomenon. A wildfire differs from the other fires by
its extensive size; the speed at which it can spread out from its original source; its ability to
change direction unexpectedly; and to jump gaps, such as roads, rivers, and fire breaks.
Fires start when an ignition source is brought into contact with a combustible material that is
subjected to sufficient heat and has an adequate supply of oxygen from the ambient air. Ignition
may be triggered by natural sources such as a lightning strike or may be attributed to a human
source such as “discarded cigarettes, sparks from equipment, and arched power lines. The
Keetch-Byram Drought Index assesses the risk of fire due to drought. Multiple wildfires will occur
in Moody County annually.
Climate Change is a long-term change in the earth’s climate, especially a change due to an
increase in the average atmospheric temperature. In particular, a change apparent from the mid
to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon
dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. Rising temperatures may lead to more climate and
weather hazards of greater intensity such as flooding, droughts, severe storms, and winter
storms. Many scientists consider climate change a global phenomenon.
HAZARD PROFILE
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B1.
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B2.
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(ii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B3.
A listing of weather events having occurred specifically within the Flandreau Santee Sioux
Reservation is unavailable, due to lack of reporting. Additionally, the FSST lands are spread
across several areas of Moody County. Therefore, each natural hazard section will list all weather
events recorded within Moody County.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
27
It should be stated that most of the hazards identified in the previous section have the potential of
occurring anywhere in Moody County. A brief section about the history of each hazard’s
occurrence in the county is provided. Table 4.3 below shows all of the Presidential Disaster
Declarations that have involved Moody County, including FSST. Information on previous
occurrences – the location, the extent (i.e., magnitude or severity) of each hazard, and probability
of future events (i.e., chance or occurrence) are listed individually by the type of hazard in the
following tables.
Table 4.3: Presidential Disaster Declarations in South Dakota
Including Flandreau Santee Sioux Nation
Date
Disaster
Dec #
4/18/1969
6/11/1984
7/2/1992
7/19/1993
5/26/1995
1/5/1996
1/10/1997
4/7/1997
5/17/2001
7/9/2008
5/13/2010
11/2/10
5/13/2011
6/7/2019
257
717
948
999
1052
1075
1156
1173
1375
1774
1915
1947
1984
4440
11/18/2019
4/5/2020
4469
4527
Type
Flooding
Severe Storms and Flooding
Flooding, Severe Storms, and Tornadoes
Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Flooding
Severe Winter Storm
Severe Winter Storm and Blizzard
Severe Winter Storm and Severe Flooding
Severe Winter Storm and Flooding
Severe Storm and Flooding
Flooding
Severe Storm and Flooding
Flooding
Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and
Flooding
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Covid-19 Pandemic
Total
Damage
FEMA
Disaster
Relief Costs
$4,599,306
$53,068,748
$35,649,349
$13,085,649
$19,455,263
$87,069,429
$3,907,074
$8,127,856
$1,074,522
$7,154,975
$45,736,034
$5,097,840
$4,716,310
$21,498,619
$1,079,972
$52,090,678
$67,597,521
$17,035,740
Ongoing
$24,424,135
$6,330,686
SOURCE: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
While the PDM Planning Team reviewed all hazard occurrences that have been reported in the
last 100 years, the list for some of the hazards was extremely long. The information provided in
the tables is not a complete history report, but rather an overview of the hazard events which have
occurred over the last ten years. The PDM Planning Team felt the hazard trend for the last ten
years could be summarized in this section.
DAM FAILURE
Dam breach or failure is of lesser concern for the members of FSST than flooding. Moody County
has a number of dam structures, which are not considered a risk to residents, but are used to
control or regulate flow from one water body to another. The South Dakota Department of
Environment and Natural Resources has identified five (5) dams in Moody County. They include
Jacobs Dam, Bauske Dam, Loiseau Dam, Paulson Dam, and Warren Jackson Dam. Further,
there is a spillway in the northern portion of Flandreau on the Sioux River however is not
considered a high risk since there are no structures or people affected downstream.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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4.4 Dam Locations in Moody County
Ownership Type
Location
NW1/4 SW1/4
5-T107N-R47W
SW1/4 NW1/4
8-T107N-R48W
SW1/4 NE1/4
20-T107N-R48W
SE1/4 SE1/4
31-T108N-R47W
SW1/4 NW1/4
2-T106N-R49W
Private
Private
Private
Private
Private
Water Body
Mud Creek - tributary
Big Sioux River - tributary
Big Sioux River - tributary
Mud Creek - tributary
Squaw Creek - tributary
DROUGHT
South Dakota's climate is characterized by cold winters and warm to hot summers. There is
usually light moisture in the winter and marginal to adequate moisture for the growing season for
crops in the eastern portion of the state. Semi-arid conditions prevail in the western portion. This
combination of hot summers and limited precipitation in a semi-arid climatic region places of
South Dakota present a potential position of suffering a drought in any given year. The climatic
conditions are such that a small departure in the normal precipitation during the hot peak growing
period of July and August could produce a partial or total crop failure.
The fact South Dakota's economy is closely tied to agriculture only magnifies the potential loss
which could be suffered by the state's economy during drought conditions. Roughly every fifty
years a significant drought is experienced within Moody County, while many less severe droughts
can occur at times every three years. Table 4.5 identifies the ten-year drought history for the
County. Data regarding droughts is only available at the county level.
Table 4.5: Moody County 10-Year Drought History
Location
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Date Start
07/10/2012
07/17/2012
09/04/2012
10/16/2012
11/13/2012
04/16/2013
09/24/2013
06/02/2015
07/18/2017
10/06/2020
06/08/2021
08/03/2021
09/07/2021
Date End
07/17/2012
09/04/2012
10/16/2012
11/13/2012
04/16/2013
05/28/2013
10/08/2013
04/14/2015
08/15/2017
03/09/2021
07/13/2021
08/31/2021
09/28/2021
Type
Moderate Drought
Severe Drought
Severe Drought to Extreme Drought
Extreme Drought
Severe Drought to Extreme Drought
Moderate to Severe Drought
Moderate Drought
Moderate Drought
Moderate Drought
Severe Drought
Severe Drought
Extreme Drought
Severe Drought
Crop Damage
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
185.00K
255.00K
11.00K
8.00K
SOURCE: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu; http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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Major Drought Occurrences:
•
July 2012 to April 2013 – Drought conditions continued over all the area with below normal
rainfall keeping soil conditions dry. Stress on crops continued even though August was less
hot than July, with temperatures averaging only a little above normal. Crop damage was quite
evident, though the amount of reduced yields and other damage which might become evident
at harvest was uncertain. While reported water supply problems were not extreme, many local
governments had water use restrictions in place. Drought was generally listed as severe to
extreme for the area and was being compared to the worst of the dust bowl years, though not
yet over as long a time period. Below normal rainfall continued to aggravate existing long-term
dry soil conditions, and stress on crops continued despite less hot weather than in July. Crop
damage including certain reduced crop yields was very apparent, although the amount of yield
reduction and other damage was still highly uncertain before harvest. Corn continued to be
the crop suspected of enduring the most damage, with some recovery potential for soybeans
in the less hot weather. The drought was also leading to local water use restrictions.
•
October 2020 – Moderate drought evolved to severe drought conditions early in the month
due to very warm and dry conditions. Precipitation continued well-below normal across
southeast South Dakota, to around 50% of normal in Flandreau. Many areas experienced
crop damage.
WILDFIRE
A strong possibility exists for simultaneous wildfire emergencies during droughts. While
researching the hazard occurrences that have taken place in Moody County, it became evident
that the information found on the NOAA website was incomplete. Therefore, other sources were
contacted whenever possible. Specifically, NOAA had only one occurrence listed for wildfires in
Moody County, but the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) was contacted to verify that
information. The SFMO information is derived from the reports submitted by the local fire
departments who respond to the fires. Representatives from the SFMO explained that since many
of the fire departments in the County are Volunteer Fire Departments many times wildfires are
extinguished, and reports are never filed with the State. Thus, the information provided by the
SFMO is not entirely complete either.
For the purpose of this PDM, we have used the numbers provided by the SFMO as a point of
reference in determining the likelihood of a wildfire hazard occurrence within the jurisdiction. The
information provided by SFMO identifies 47 structure fire responses, 50 vehicle fire responses,
and 104 outside fire responses reported from 2011-2020. The cause of the outside fires is not
listed, so it is not known for certain whether all or some of these fires resulted due to a natural
hazard occurrence or as a result of human behavior.
Additionally, SFMO provided information about the number of injuries and fatalities reported as a
result of these fires. According to the records provided, from 2011 to 2020 one civilian injury, one
civilian death, and zero fire service deaths or injuries were attributed to fires in Moody County.
Table 4.6 identifies the number of fire department responses to structural, vehicle, and outside
fires that have been experienced within Moody County. It should be noted that the number of
responses does not necessarily mean that there were 104 outside (wildfire) fires as some fires
required multiple departments to respond. The data compiled by the SMFO is not discriminate
enough to determine whether a fire can be classified as an urban fire or wildfire.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
30
Table 4.6:
Moody County Structural, Vehicle and Outside (Wildfire) Department Responses
Year
Structural
Fires
Vehicle
Fires
Outside
Fires
4
3
8
2011
8
0
16
2012
0
2
7
2013
5
7
8
2014
9
7
12
2015
2
11
11
2016
3
2
18
2017
5
5
8
2018
4
3
0
2019
7
10
16
2020
47
50
104
Total
SOURCE: South Dakota State Fire Marshal Office
Total Fire
$ Loss
$191,000
$119,500
$3,500
$0
$40,000
$26,000
$71,000
$66,500
$111,000
$191,000
$819,500
FLOOD
Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto lands not normally covered by water producing
measurable property damage or forcing evacuation of people and resources. Floods can result in
injuries and even loss of life when quickly moving water is involved. Six inches of moving water is
enough to sweep a vehicle off a road. Disruption of communication, transportation, electric
service, and community services, along with contamination of water supplies and transportation
accidents are very possible. Table 4.7 is a flood history in Moody County from 2012-2021. The
table was narrowed down to only include flooding that occurred in proximity to the FSST lands.
Table 4.7: Moody County 10-year Flood History
Location or
County
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau Muni
Airport
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
06:00
04:00
00:00
09:00
05:00, 09:00, 17:00
00:00
18:00
00:00
06:00
Property
Damage
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Crop
Damage
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
16:00
03:00
01:00, 09:00
11:00, 21:00, 23:00
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Date
Time
05/06/2012
03/23/2018
04/01/2018
04/21/2018
04/23/2018
05/01/2018
06/25/2018
07/01/2018
07/20/2018
09/20/2018
09/21/2018
03/19/2019
03/20/2019
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
31
Location or
County
Flandreau
Flandreau Muni
Airport
Flandreau Muni
Airport
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau Muni
Airport
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau
Storla
Flandreau
Flandreau
00:00
Property
Damage
0.00K
Crop
Damage
0.00K
04/06/2019
06:00
0.00K
0.00K
04/16/2019
05/01/2019
05/28/2019
06/01/2019
07/02/2019
07/11/2019
07/12/2019
08/01/2019
08/18/2019
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
09/11/2019
05:00
00:00
00:30
00:00
22:00
11:00
13:00
00:00
22:00
05:30, 07:00,
08:00, 11:30
350.00K
100.00K
09/11/2019
10/05/2019
12/13/2019
03/08/2020
03/09/2020
03/27/2020
04/01/2020
23:00
04:00
19:00
03:30
06:00
20:00
00:00
5.00K
5.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Date
Time
04/01/2019
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
Major Flood Occurrences:
•
General History: Typically, the most significant damage comes from poor runoff and
saturated ground. However, ground saturation, rising water in potholes, ditches, and sloughs
represent a higher historic problem. Flooding occurs primarily in the Sioux River Basin.
Flooding, as a natural hazard, has been a part of the county’s conflict with nature throughout
history. Moody County has this river traversing near the communities of Egan, Flandreau,
Trent, and the Flandreau Reservation. Several creeks feed into the river that can cause
municipal flooding and township and county roads can be washed out. The spring flood
danger period generally occurs during March and April. A wet fall, early freeze with saturated
ground at the time of freezing, heavy winter precipitation, and warm rains during and after
spring thaw add to the seriousness of the spring flooding situation. Spring flooding along the
Big Sioux River in Moody County is a yearly event in that the normal winter snow melt is likely
to push the river beyond flood stage.
o
Flandreau – The City of Flandreau experiences flooding 1 mile east of town affecting a
city park, golf course, and some private residents. Preventative measures are taken until
the water recedes since this is generally a yearly event based on snow and rain amounts.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
32
•
o
Flandreau Santee Sioux – The Tribe experiences flooding on properties along the Big
Sioux River. Areas often affected are the Powwow Grounds and some private residences
2 miles north of Flandreau and some private residences 1 mile east of Flandreau.
Preventative measures are taken until the water recedes since this is generally a yearly
event based on snow and rain amounts.
o
Moody County – Roads, culverts, and bridges are periodically affected by flooding either
by sloughs or roads and bridges on the Sioux River. Erosion along bridge abutments is a
continual problem.
September 2019 - Spurred by a period of excessive precipitation from September 10-12 that
resulted in 5 to 10 inches of rainfall in the middle to upper reaches of the Big Sioux River
Basin, extreme rises occurred mid-month, with many basin locations reaching record stages.
Recreational usage of the Big Sioux River, Split Rock Creek, and Skunk Creek (in Moody,
Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Union counties) was banned for much of the remainder of the month.
Numerous county roads and bridges were inundated, with a few farm outbuildings engulfed in
water. Agricultural flooding was extensive.
HAIL
Table 4.8 indicates twenty-two (22) hail occurrences by location throughout Moody County since
2012. However, the information provided by the NOAA website was incomplete due to
inconsistent reporting of damage after such hazards occurred. Obviously, with such a high
number of occurrences it is reasonable to expect that at least some property or crop damage was
sustained in the communities during some of the occurrences, even though the damage may not
have been reported or recorded. It is possible that such damage was not reported because it was
believed to be insignificant at the time, or because those responsible for reporting such
information did not report to the proper agencies. Because of this, all Moody County recorded
events were included in the table. One event in July of 2020 reported $137,000 in property
damage. Since 2012 there have been 16 events with hail of at least one inch in diameter,
including 1 event with hail exceeding 1.75 inches in diameter.
Table 4.8: Moody County 10-year Hail History
Location
Date
Time
Hail
Magnitude
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Flandreau
Flandreau
Colman
Colman
Flandreau
Municipal Airport
Flandreau
Municipal Airport
Trent
Trent
Trent
Flandreau
Colman
03/19/2012
03/19/2012
05/05/2012
05/05/2012
12:24
12:26
09:20
20:30
1.00 in.
0.75 in.
0.75 in.
1.00 in.
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
06/29/2012
16:40
0.75 in.
0.00K
0.00K
06/29/2012
06/22/2013
07/19/2014
07/19/2014
07/24/2014
06/03/2015
16:47
21:08
07:35
07:36
12:32
06:28
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
0.88 in.
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
1.25 in.
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
33
Location
Flandreau
Colman
Flandreau
Flandreau
Trent
Colman
Flandreau
Flandreau
Colman
Colman
Colman
Date
Time
Hail
Magnitude
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
06/09/2015
06/11/2017
06/11/2017
06/11/2017
08/13/2017
06/11/2019
07/20/2020
04/05/2021
08/05/2021
08/05/2021
08/05/2021
17:57
05:05
05:20
05:23
16:56
15:00
18:55
18:45
18:15
18:43
18:53
0.88 in.
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
1.75 in.
0.75 in.
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
1.00 in.
1.50 in.
1.50 in.
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
137.00K
0.00K
0.00K
5.00K
0.00K
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
LIGHTNING
The extent or severity of lightning can range from significant to insignificant depending on where it
strikes and what structures are hit. Water towers, cell phone towers, power lines, trees, and
common buildings and structures all have the possibility of being struck by lightning. People who
leave shelter during thunderstorms to watch or follow lightning also have the possibility of being
struck by lightning. According to NOAA the lightning history for the past twenty years denotes four
(4) occurrences where damage was reported (See Table 4.9); however, possibility exists that the
information reported is incomplete. It is also important to note that while only four occurrences of
lightening related damage was reported, lightning strikes are very common in all South Dakota
counties and reservations.
Table 4.9: Moody County 20-year Lightning History
Location
Colman
Flandreau
Colman
Flandreau
Date
Time
Property
Damage
06/03/2000
06/10/2002
09/30/2009
5/10/2011
15:30
16:00
20:30
1:30
70.00K
5.00K
1.00K
20.00K
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
TORNADO
The annual risk for intense summer storms is very high. All areas of Moody County, including
FSST lands, are susceptible to summer storms. Warning time for summer storms is normally
several hours, sufficient for relocation and evacuation, if necessary. However, tornadoes may
occur with little or no warning. Between the years of 1956 and 2021, the County confirmed ten
(10) tornadoes. Table 4.10 includes the tornado history in the County since 2000.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
34
Table 4.10: Moody County 20-year Tornado History
Date
Time
Type
Magnitude
Property
Damage
06/24/2003
09/16/2006
06/05/2008
21:50
15:56
20:00
Tornado
Tornado
Tornado
F0
F0
EF1
0.00K
0.00K
10.00K
Location
Egan
Colman
Trent
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
Major Tornado Occurrences:
•
June 2008 – Thunderstorms produced numerous events of tornadoes, large hail, and
damaging winds over southeast South Dakota from late morning through the evening of June
5th. Near Trent, South Dakota, a tornado blew a 40 by 100-foot metal machine shed a quarter
mile, destroyed an outbuilding, and damaged trees.
Each year, many storms and a few tornadoes affect Moody County. Summer storms usually
produce a wide range of damage making damage estimates very difficult. A complete listing of all
summer storms having occurred within Moody County, and more specifically FSST lands, is not
possible due to inaccurate reporting. The National Weather Service reports online were the
primary source for this information.
EXTREME TEMPERATURES
Extreme temperatures in Moody County are common occurrences. It is expected that at least two
times each year there will be extreme heat or extreme cold in the area. Both types of extreme
temperature occurrences have dangerous implications to humans, livestock, and critical
structures and facilities if certain conditions are present. The following information was found on
the NOAA website. It is possible that people in the area have adapted to this type of extreme
temperatures and thus such weather events are not reported as often as they occur. It is also
possible that the information has only in recent years been tracked or reported. Table 4.11
identifies dates and times of the temperature extremes. However, the location is not specifically
identified in the table by jurisdiction due to the vast area across the State of South Dakota
affected by extreme temperatures.
Table 4.11: Moody County 10-year History of Extreme Temperatures
Location
Date
Time
Type
Moody County
07/02/2012
11:00
Excessive Heat
Moody County
07/16/2012
11:00
Excessive Heat
Moody County
12/23/2013
01:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
01/23/2014
05:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
03/02/2014
02:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
01/16/2016
21:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
06/10/2016
11:00
Excessive Heat
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
35
Location
Date
Time
Type
Moody County
07/20/2016
12:00
Excessive Heat
Moody County
12/30/2017
08:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
01/01/2018
00:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
01/15/2018
00:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
03/03/2019
02:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
06/29/2019
12:00
Excessive Heat
Moody County
02/12/2020
19:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Moody County
02/13/2021
20:00
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
Major Extreme Temperature Occurrences:
•
July 2012 – An excessive heat occurrence took place between July 2nd-6th when record heat
and high humidity affected southeast South Dakota. Heat indices rose to 110 degrees across
the area.
•
July 2016 – An excessive heat event took place when very hot and very humid weather, with
daytime temperatures reaching the 95-to-100-degree range, brought the heat index to 100 to
115 degrees during the afternoon hours of July 19th-23rd. Emergency rooms at hospitals
reported that an unknown number of people suffered heat stress, heat exhaustion, or
dehydration, although no lasting heat related illnesses were reported. Dew points in the 70’s
over the area reflected the very high humidity, with dew points at a few places peaking at or
just above 80 degrees.
•
March 2019 – The coldest air in recent history started with an unusually strong and cold area
of high pressure surged into the northern Plains. Winds were mainly a gusty 20 to 35 mph,
and when coupled with temperatures from 10 to 20 below zero, produced a long duration of
wind chills colder than 20 below zero. Coldest wind chills were recorded between 0400-0900
on March 3rd, reaching -47 at Flandreau. With these types of temperature extremes, the
biggest concern for people is exposure because prolonged exposure means almost certain
death.
•
February 2021 - A massive arctic plunge into the Northern Plains brought almost a week of
dangerous and life-threatening wind chills to the region. The worst conditions were recorded
between February 13th-16th when wind chills occasionally dropped as low as 35 below to 55
below zero. Numerous record low maximum and minimum temperatures were established.
The areal extent of the extreme cold in the central portions of the U.S. led to stress on the
power grid, which necessitated several short-term rolling power outages impacting more than
10,000 customers during the peak of the cold. Over this period, wind chill values reached a
minimum of -45 at Flandreau.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
36
THUNDERSTORMS/HIGH WIND
Thunderstorms and high wind occurrences in Moody County are also very common. According to
the National Climatic Data Center Storm Events database, Moody County experienced sixty-five
(65) wind events from 2000-2021. Table 4.12 denotes the extent and severity of such hazards
occurring in the last ten years. The Tribe continues to collaborate with Moody County to educate
residents on the dangers of such storms through public service announcements and other printed
media.
Table 4.12: Moody County 10-year History for Thunderstorms/High Wind
Location
Date
Time
Type
Mag
(mph)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Trent
Flandreau
Flandreau
Flandreau Muni
Airport
03/19/2012
05/05/2012
05/05/2012
12:20
20:57
21:00
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
52 kts. EG
63 kts. MG
65 kts. EG
5.00K
0.00K
1.000M
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
05/05/2012
22:22
Thunderstorm Wind
61 kts. EG
5.00K
0.00K
Flandreau
Moody County
Flandreau
09/04/2012
01/26/2014
08/06/2015
20:05
12:00
18:45
52 kts. EG
50 kts. EG
61 kts. EG
56 kts. EG
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Flandreau
08/06/2015
18:57
Trent
08/09/2015
18:17
Thunderstorm Wind
High Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Moody County
02/19/2016
04:30
High Wind
36 kts. ES
0.00K
0.00K
Flandreau
Moody County
Colman
Colman
Flandreau
Flandreau
Colman
Colman
Flandreau
Airport
06/03/2016
12/25/2016
05/28/2017
05/28/2017
07/22/2017
07/22/2017
09/19/2017
09/19/2017
16:50
23:00
17:45
17:45
01:09
01:21
22:18
22:21
Thunderstorm Wind
High Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
52 kts. EG
52 kts. MG
56 kts. EG
61 kts. EG
56 kts. EG
56 kts. EG
65 kts. EG
70 kts. EG
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
25.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
06/15/2019
17:45
Thunderstorm Wind
55 kts. MG
0.00K
0.00K
Flandreau
07/20/2019
06:57
Thunderstorm Wind
61 kts. EG
0.00K
0.00K
Flandreau
Colman
Colman
07/20/2019
08/17/2019
08/17/2019
06:59
20:53
21:00
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
61 kts. MG
56 kts. EG
52 kts. EG
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Flandreau Muni
Airport
08/17/2019
21:10
Thunderstorm Wind
65 kts. EG
100.00K
0.00K
Flandreau Muni
Airport
06/06/2020
18:09
Thunderstorm Wind
55 kts. MG
0.00K
0.00K
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
54 kts. MG
37
Date
Time
Type
Mag
(mph)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Colman
07/20/2020
18:40
Thunderstorm Wind
52 kts. EG
0.00K
0.00K
Sioux Falls
Junction
Flandreau
7/20/2020
7/20/2020
18:59
19:13
Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm Wind
52 kts. MG
52 kts. MG
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
Sioux Falls
Junction
08/28/2020
01:17
Thunderstorm Wind
50 kts. MG
0.00K
3.00K
Trent
08/05/2021
19:15
Thunderstorm Wind
56 kts. EG
2.00K
0.00K
Sioux Falls
Junction
09/16/2021
23:04
Thunderstorm Wind
54 kts. MG
0.00K
0.00K
Sioux Falls
Junction
09/16/2021
23:17
Thunderstorm Wind
56 kts. MG
0.00K
0.00K
Location
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
Major Wind Occurrences:
•
May 2012 - Thunderstorm winds caused widespread damage in the south part of Flandreau.
One occurrence of thunderstorm wind peak at 75 mph was recorded. Roofs on homes,
apartment buildings, and other buildings were blown off or damaged. The roof of a large
church was blown off, and parts of the roof damaged nearby homes. The Flandreau city office
building had part of its south wall blown off, resulting in interior damage to ceiling tiles and
insulation. Siding on other walls of this building and on numerous homes was damaged. Tree
damage was widespread, including several trees blown down or uprooted. The winds blew
down power lines, leaving parts of the city without power for almost three hours. The
community experienced $1,000,000 in property damage as a result of the storm.
•
As a strong upper-level wave pushed into the western Dakotas during the evening hours,
isolated super cellular storms developed across central South Dakota and moved through
areas west of the James River. The isolated storms produced hail up to golf ball size.
Significant damage was caused to farm outbuildings.
WINTER STORMS
Freezing Rain/Sleet/Ice and Heavy Snow are components of winter storms and included under
this profile. Table 4.13 shows just how common snow and ice storms are within Moody County.
While such storms would be considered extreme in many parts of the State, the consistent nature
of such weather hazards are expected in this area. Thus, planning and response mechanisms for
snow and ice storms are vital to the Tribe and are routine procedures in the Tribe due to the
common nature of such storms. Winter storms in South Dakota are known to cover large
geographical areas, often an entire county or multiple counties can be affected by a single storm.
All the storms identified in Table 4.13 were considered to have occurred countywide. Due to the
multiple occurrences of winter storms each year, an exhaustive compilation is not possible.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
38
Table 4.13 Moody County 10-year History of Snow and Ice Storms
Location
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Moody County
Date
Time
Type
Property
Damage
12/9/2012
02/10/2013
04/09/2013
11/05/2013
12/03/2013
01/16/2014
12/15/2014
01/05/2015
01/08/2015
11/30/2015
12/01/2015
12/15/2015
12/25/2015
02/02/2016
03/23/2016
11/18/2016
12/16/2016
01/24/2017
02/23/2017
03/12/2017
03/23/2018
04/13/2018
12/27/2018
03/09/2019
04/11/2019
01/17/2020
04/12/2020
12/23/2020
01/14/2021
02/27/2021
03/14/2021
10:00
16:00
03:00
13:00
18:00
11:00
08:00
11:00
14:00
02:00
00:00
22:00
20:00
07:00
10:00
04:00
11:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
20:00
19:00
09:00
04:00
03:00
07:30
00:00
09:00
18:00
22:00
21:00
Blizzard
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Heavy Snow
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Heavy Snow
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Heavy Snow
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Blizzard
Blizzard
Winter Storm
Winter Storm
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
840.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
0.00K
SOURCE: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
39
Major Winter Storm Occurrences:
•
April 2018 - The most intense storm of the month, in fact of many months, wrapped up across
the central Plains on April 13, spreading a mix of wintry precipitation across the area,
accompanied by numerous thunderstorms. Eventually, influx of colder air would change all
precipitation over to snow and ushered in a record-breaking snowfall of 8 to 16 inches (some
locations over 20 inches). Life threatening conditions developed during the late evening of
April 13, as the earlier mix of rain, sleet, and snow changed to all snow, and brutal winds
(gusting as high as 55 mph at Flandreau) whipped visibility to less than a quarter mile at times
through the afternoon of April 14. State offices were closed, and schools cancelled on April
13. Travel was not recommended for much of the two-day period, if not impossible. Interstate
29 was closed from the North Dakota border to Sioux Falls 20:00 CST April 13 and remained
closed until 08:00 CST April 15. A storm total snowfall of 10.5 inches was measured at
Flandreau.
•
April 2019 - Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and
travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 29 was
closed from the evening of April 10 through noon on April 12. Storm-total snowfall from 4 to 8
inches occurred, with 5.4 inches at Flandreau. With winds gusting at times from 40 to 50 mph,
many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of
one-quarter to one-half inch occurred, resulting in scattered power outages as wind increased.
At the peak, electric companies and cooperatives estimated as many as 25,000 customers
were without power. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.
ASSESSING VULNERABILITY: OVERVIEW
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B1.
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B2.
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(ii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B3.
Hazards were also analyzed in terms of the level of the community’s vulnerability to the hazard.
Vulnerability to the hazard is the susceptibility of life, property, and the environment to injury or
damage if a hazard occurs. Representatives from the participating jurisdiction and the PDM
Planning Team were asked to complete worksheets that rated their perception to vulnerability of
hazards for either their specific geographical location, or for county-wide risks. A low vulnerability
hazard is one that has very low damage potential to either life or property (minor damage to less
than 5% of the jurisdiction). A “medium” vulnerability hazard is unlikely to threaten human life,
although some people may be at risk, but may pose moderate damage potential (causing partial
damage to 5% to 10% of the jurisdiction, on an irregular occurrence). A “high” vulnerability hazard
may threaten human life, and more than ten percent of the jurisdiction may be at risk on a regular
occurrence. Table 4.14 below is an overall summary of vulnerability by jurisdiction produced from
the FEMA worksheets completed by the participating jurisdiction and PDM Planning Team. Also
see Tables 5.1-5.12 for additional strategies and solutions that jurisdictions are taking to mitigate
high-priority hazards.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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Table 4.14: Overall Summary of Vulnerability
Type of
Disaster
Dam Failure
Drought
Earthquake
Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat
Flood
Freezing
Rain/Sleet/Ice
Hail
Heavy Rain
Heavy Snow
Ice Jam
Landslide
Lightning
Rapid Snow Melt
Strong Winds
Thunderstorm
Tornado
Urban Fire
Wildfire
Flandreau
Santee
Sioux
N
L
N
L
L
M
M
L
L
L
N
N
L
L
M
L
L
L
L
N
: Not applicable; not a hazard to the jurisdiction.
L
: Low risk/vulnerability; little damage potential (minor damage to less than 5% of the jurisdiction).
M
: Medium risk/vulnerability; moderate damage potential (causing partial damage to 5-10% of the
jurisdiction, and irregular occurrence).
H
: High risk/vulnerability; significant risk/major damage potential (for example, destructive, damage
to more than 10% of the jurisdiction and/or regular occurrence).
The following paragraphs summarize the description of the jurisdiction’s vulnerability to each
hazard and the impact of each hazard on the jurisdiction.
Blizzards are characterized by high winds, blowing snow, cold temperatures, and low visibility.
Blizzards create conditions such as icy roads, closed roads, downed power lines and trees. The
County’s population is especially vulnerable to these conditions because people tend to leave
their homes to get to places such as work, school, and stores rather than staying inside. Traffic is
one of the biggest hazards in Moody County during a blizzard because people often get stuck,
stranded, and lost when driving their vehicles which usually prompts others such as family and or
emergency responders to go out in the conditions to rescue them.
Drought can be defined as a period of prolonged lack of moisture. High temperatures, high
winds, and low relative humidity all result from droughts and are caused by droughts. A decrease
in the amount of precipitation can adversely affect stream flows and reservoirs, lakes, and
groundwater levels. Crops and other vegetation are harmed when moisture is not present within
the soil.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
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South Dakota's climate is characterized by cold winters and warm to hot summers. There is
usually light moisture in the winter and marginal to adequate moisture for the growing season for
crops in the eastern portion of the state. Semi-arid conditions prevail in the western portion. This
combination of hot summers and limited precipitation in a semi-arid climatic region present a
potential position of suffering a drought in any given year. The climatic conditions are such that a
small departure in the normal precipitation during the hot peak growing period of July and August
could produce a partial or total crop failure. South Dakota's economy is closely tied to agriculture
only magnifies the potential loss which could be suffered by the state's economy during drought
conditions. Roughly every fifty years a significant drought is experienced within the county, while
less severe droughts have occurred as often as every three years.
Earthquakes occur in the area but have not had a great enough magnitude or intensity in the
past ten years to be reported. The magnitude and intensity of an earthquake is measured by the
Richter scale and the Mercalli scale. An earthquake of noteworthy magnitude has not occurred in
the county for decades, but it would be reasonable to expect that a large earthquake would have
comparative impact on the County as it would anywhere else. Moody County does not have
skyscrapers or very many tall buildings, but it also does not have codes in place that require
homes or buildings to be retrofitted.
Extreme Cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with
power failures and icy roads. Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind
speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly. These weather-related conditions may
lead to serious health problems. Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can bring on health
emergencies in susceptible people, such as those without shelter or who are stranded, or who live
in a home that is poorly insulated or without heat. Exposure is the biggest threat/vulnerability to
human life; however, incidences of exposure are isolated and thus unlikely to happen in masses.
Extreme Heat Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop damage, thousands of deaths
from hyperthermia, and widespread power failures due to increased use of air conditioning. Loss
of power and crop damage are the largest vulnerabilities to the county during extreme heat. Both
have an effect on quality of life, however, neither are detrimental to the existence of the population
of Moody County.
Flooding can result in injuries and even loss of life when quickly moving water is involved. Six
inches of moving water is enough to sweep a vehicle off a road. Disruption of communication,
transportation, electric service, and community services, along with contamination of water
supplies and transportation accidents are very possible.
Moody county is networked with a series of creeks and tributaries, which are part of the Big Sioux
River watershed. This area receives several large thunderstorms per year that can cause intense
rainfall for short periods of time, resulting in water feeding the Big Sioux River through its
respective tributaries. In addition to flooding caused by rainfall, the area surrounding the Big Sioux
River is subject to flood damage because of the possibility of extensive snowpack and
subsequent spring snowmelt flooding.
There have also been past issues dealing with the maintenance and clearing of drainage
channels in the area that have resulted in obstructions restricting the flow of water during a storm.
Some residents live in the 100-year flood plain located in the Big Sioux River watershed.
Conditions, at times, make response and evacuation operations, very difficult, adversely affecting
the safety of residents. The flooding of township roads is a concern for the entire county.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
42
Freezing Rain causes adverse conditions such as slippery surfaces and extra weight buildup on
power lines, poles, trees, and structures. The additional weight can often cause weak structures
to cave in and cause tree branches and power lines to break and fall. Moody County and local
jurisdictions within are susceptible to these conditions due to the types of structures and surfaces
that exist in the county that cannot be protected from freezing rain. Traffic on the roads and
highways tend to be the biggest hazard during freezing rain conditions because vehicles often
slide off the road which prompts emergency responders and others to have to go out on rescue
missions in the adverse conditions.
Hail causes damage to property such as crops, vehicles, windows, roofs, and structures. The
County and its local jurisdictions are vulnerable to hail, like most other areas in the State due to
the nature of the hazard. Mitigating for hail is difficult and is usually found in the form of insurance
policies for structures, vehicles, and crops.
Heavy Rain causes damage to property such as homes and roads. Often when heavy rains occur
in Moody County it may cause sewers to back-up in homes due to excess water entering the
wastewater collection lines. The excess water sometimes has no place to go and thus basements
fill up with water which results in damage to water heaters, furnaces, and damage to living
quarters for people who live in basement apartments. Roads and bridges can be washed out, thus
causing traffic hazards for travelers and commuters. Many times the roads have to be closed
causing rural traffic to have to take alternate routes which can sometimes be an additional five to
ten miles out of the way. All areas of the county are vulnerable when heavy rains occur. Storm
sewers are built for the typical storm and therefore do not accommodate for excessive or heavy
rains.
Ice Jams cause damage to bridges, roads, and culverts due to water currents pushing large
chunks of ice under or through small openings. There are 97 bridges and many more culverts
throughout Moody County which are at risk for ice jams.
Lightning often strikes the tallest objects within the area. In towns, trees and poles often receive
the most strikes. In rural areas, shorter objects are more vulnerable to being struck. Electrical
lines and poles are also vulnerable because of their height and charge. In addition, many
streetlights function with sensors. Since thunderstorms occur primarily during hours of darkness,
lightning strikes close to censored lights cause the lights to go out, causing a potential hazard for
drivers. Flickering lights and short blackouts are not at all uncommon in the county.
One of lightning’s dangerous attributes includes the ability to cause fires. Since the entire county
is vulnerable to lightning strikes and subsequent fires, these fires will be treated under the fire
section of this PDM.
Most injuries from lightning occur near the end of thunderstorms. Individuals who sought shelter
leave those areas prior to the entire completion of the thunderstorm. Believing it is safe to freely
move around, concluding lightning strikes catch them off guard.
Severe Winter Storms have a high risk of occurrence. Approximately five snowstorms each
resulting in five to ten inches of snow occur in Moody County area annually. Heavy snow can
immobilize transportation, down power lines and trees, and cause the collapsing of weaker
structures. Livestock and wildlife are also very vulnerable during periods of heavy snow. Most
storms can be considered to have occurred countywide. Due to the multiple occurrences of winter
storms each year, an exhaustive compilation is not possible.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
43
Additionally, winter storms often result in some forms of utility mishaps. High voltage electric
transmission/distribution lines run the length of the county. These lines are susceptible to breaking
under freezing rain and icy conditions and severing during high blizzard winds. Any electrical
complications bring associated risk of food spoilage, appliance burnout, loss of water, and
potential harm for in-house life support users. Limited loss of power is not uncommon on an
annual basis. A typical power interruption lasts from one to three hours. Most residents are
prepared to deal with this type of inconvenience.
The greatest danger during winter weather is traveling. Many individuals venture out in inclement
weather. Reasons include the necessity of getting to work, going to school, going out just to see
how the weather is, and to rescue stranded persons.
Snow Drifts are caused by wind blowing snow and cold temperatures. These drifts can be small
finger drifts on roadways causing cautionary driving, or twenty to forty-foot-high drifts that block
entire highways, roads, and farmyards for several days.
Populations at highest vulnerability for this type of hazard are rural homeowners, who account for
approximately forty-seven percent of the county, and the elderly. As with any weather event,
those dependent upon healthcare supplies and other essentials will also bear the brunt of
highway closures and slowed transportation due to snow and ice. Emergency services will also be
delayed during winter storms.
Snow removal policies and emergency response is at excellent performance and no projects will
be considered in this area. Generators provide back-up power to many critical facilities within the
municipalities and in rural areas. However, some of the critical facilities that could be utilized in
disaster situations do not have backup generators. Also, some facilities have generators that only
power a portion of operations.
Strong Winds can be detrimental to the area. Trees, poles, power lines, and weak structures are
all susceptible and vulnerable to strong winds. When strong winds knock down trees, poles,
power lines, and structures it creates additional traffic hazards for travelers and commuters.
Strong winds are a common occurrence in all parts of Moody County. The farming community
tends to be vulnerable because many old farm sites have weak, dilapidated, or crumbling
structures or structures such as grain bins which can easily be blown over. Another area of
particular vulnerability would be those areas with dense tree growth where dead or decaying trees
lose their stability and can be blown over or knocked down easily.
Thunderstorms cause lightning and sometimes large amounts of rain in a small timeframe. The
entire county experiences thunderstorms on a regular basis and is only vulnerable when weather
events outside the norm occur. Specific vulnerabilities are further identified in the paragraphs for
“Lightning” and “Heavy Rains.”
Tornadoes present significant danger and occur most often in South Dakota during the months of
May, June, and July. The greatest period of tornado activity (about 82 percent of occurrence) is
from eleven a.m. to midnight. Within this time frame, most tornadoes occur between four p.m. and
six p.m. The annual risk for intense summer storms is very high. Often associated with summer
storms are utility problems. High voltage electrical transmission lines run the length of Moody
County. These lines are susceptible to breaking during high winds and hail. Tall trees located near
electrical lines can be broken in wind or by lightning strikes and land on electrical lines, severing
connections. Any electrical complications bring associated risk of food spoilage, appliance
burnout, loss of water, and potential harm to in-house life support dependents. Limited loss of
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
44
power is common on an annual basis. Typical power interruptions last around one to three hours.
Most residents are prepared to deal with this.
Wildfires occur primarily during drought conditions. Wildfires can cause extensive damage, both
to property and human life, and can occur anywhere in the county. Even though wildfires can
have various beneficial effects on wilderness areas for plant species that are dependent on the
effects of fire for growth and reproduction, large wildfires often have detrimental atmospheric
consequences, and too frequent wildfires may cause other negative ecological effects. Current
techniques may permit and even encourage fires in some regions as a means of minimizing or
removing sources of fuel from any wildfire that might develop.
Since there are no remote forested regions in Moody County, wildfires can be easily spotted and
are capable of being maintained. The county does not have any areas that are considered
wildland-urban interface because property outside city limits is primarily agricultural land, thus,
there are no urban interface areas of risk in the county. In addition, fire interference with traffic on
highways is not a major concern. The most important factor in mitigating against wildfires
continues to be common sense and adherence to burning regulations and suggestions
disseminated by the county or tribe.
Moisture amounts have the biggest impact on fire situations. During wet years, fire danger is low.
More controlled burns are conducted, and fewer mishaps occur. During dry years, severe
restrictions are placed on any types of burns. For information on dealing with open/controlled
burning within the county, see SDCL 34-29B and SDCL 34-35.
ASSESSING VULNERABILITY: NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM COMPLIANCE
Requirement 201.7(c)(3)(iv) and 201.7(c)(3)(v). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – C2.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). However, the Tribe does have some fee lands outside of the reservation boundary that fall
under the jurisdiction of Moody County.
Moody County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The municipality of
Flandreau, where Tribal headquarters are located, also participates in the NFIP. The County and
Flandreau’s initial involvement in the NFIP began as the communities were mapped between
1974 and 1977. These entities currently utilize the most recently updated flood hazard boundary
map. The effective date for those maps was August 19, 2008. The map identifies Zone “A” of the
flood hazard areas, without identifying elevations at risk 100-year and 500-year flood events. The
municipality of Flandreau, as well as Moody County will continue to participate and ensure
compliance of the participating local jurisdictions located within the floodplain.
Floodplain management requirements are administered by the Floodplain Administrator as
described in Table 4.18 and follow floodplain regulations described in the local jurisdiction’s
zoning ordinance in the participating communities.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
45
Table 4.15:
Communities Participating in the National Flood Program
Community
Name
Community
ID
Moody County
Flandreau
Flandreau Santee Sioux
Current Map
Effective
Date
460235
8/19/08(M)
460062
8/19/08
Not Participating
The Moody County Emergency Management Office maintains the flood zone maps and utilizes
DFIRMS for all planning mechanisms occurring in the unincorporated areas of the county;
specifically, development of new structures. The community of Flandreau also has a designated
floodplain administrator that requires elevation certificates and issues floodplain development
permits for structures constructed within Zone A of the identified flood hazard areas. The DFIRMS
are used to determine where the natural drainage occurs and ensures that new development will
not interrupt the natural drainage. The Moody County Emergency Management Office has the
DFIRMS in electronic format and thus will utilize and maintain the maps in the electronic format.
ADDRESSING VULNERABILTY: REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES
Due to various geomorphologic and topographical conditions, periodic flooding affects numerous
areas in both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Moody County. Property adjacent to the
Big Sioux River, as much of the Tribe’s lands are, is most prone to flooding in Moody County.
Residential development occurred adjacent to the Big Sioux River long before the initial flood
hazard boundaries being identified in 1974. As a result, numerous structures already existed at
the time of adoption of the first map and continue to be lived in today. Numerous structures are
located within Flood Hazard Areas currently identified as Zone A. Many structures located within
the County have experienced flooding or are required to be insured against flood due to their
proximity to special flood hazard areas. The County has a total of 22 flood insurance policy
holders. The vast majority of those policies insure residents adjacent to the Big Sioux River.
Table 4.16: National Flood Insurance Program Statistics
Community
Name
Number
of Claims
Paid
Since
1978
Current
NFIP
Policies
Total Value of
Claims Paid
Policies
for
Repetitive
Structures
Loss
in AProperties
Zones
City of Flandreau
3
9
$75,293
2
0
Unincorporated
areas of Moody
County
10
32
$398,302
9
5
Totals
13
41
$473,595
11
5
SOURCE: South Dakota State NFIP Coordinator
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
46
The PDM Planning Team focused attention particularly on flood related issues. An issue of
primary concern the number of times specific properties and structures on those properties flood.
In Moody County there have been five incidences of repetitive loss claims throughout the
unincorporated areas of the county, as compared to zero in the 2014 Moody County PDM.
Repetitive loss properties are those for which two or more losses of at least $1,000 each have
been paid under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within any ten-year period. A goal
of the Tribe is to protect specific areas of the reservation from repeated flooding. This goal aims to
protect properties prone to flood losses but does not discount the possibility that in some cases
structures located in the floodplain may need to be removed.
ADDRESSING VULNERABILTY: SEVERE REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES
The Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 identified another category of repetitive loss, severe
repetitive loss, and defined it as “a single-family property (consisting of one-to-four residences)
that is covered under flood insurance by the NFIP and has incurred flood-related damage for
which four or more separate claims payments have been paid under flood insurance coverage
with the amount of each claim payment exceeding $5,000 and with cumulative amount of such
claims payments exceeding $20,000; or for which at least two separate claims payments have
been made with the cumulative amount of such claims exceeding the reported value of the
property. Although Moody County has five properties classified as “repetitive loss,” there are no
properties classified as “severe repetitive loss.”
ASSESSING VULNERABILITY: IDENTIFYING STRUCTURES
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(ii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B3.
One of the primary purposes of this PDM is identifying critical facilities, emergency shelters, and
summer storm shelters and equipping those facilities with the means to provide the necessary
energy for access to sanitation and maintain important functions during a natural hazard
occurrence. In the event of a disaster as a result of severe summer of winter storms, a terrorist
attack, or hazardous materials incident, the Tribe and participating entities will have the ability to
prevent further loss of life by generator powered critical facility shelters.
Each participating entity was responsible for listing critical infrastructure within their communities.
Table 4.17 is a list of critical facilities that would cause the greatest distress in the Tribe if
destruction occurred. The information provided in Table 4.17 was compiled via survey of the
participating communities. It should be noted that electrical transmission lines, transformers, and
substations are generally not listed in Table 4.17 despite information being provided for them.
They are displayed in Table 4.27.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
47
Table 4.17: Critical Infrastructure in Flandreau Santee Sioux Nation
Jurisdiction/
Entity
Location
Address
Sector
Sub-sector
Name
Owner
Type
FSST
City of
Flandreau
403 W Broad Ave
Health
Institution
Building
FSST Heath Center
Public
FSST
North of City of
Flandreau
1132 N Crescent St
Education
Institution
Building
Flandreau Indian
School
Public
City of
Flandreau
City of
Flandreau
800 S Wind St
Population to
Protect
Assisted Living
Facility
Edgewood
Healthcare
Private
FSST
Moody County
1 mile of 227th St
1 mile of 482nd Ave
1 mile 228th St
Transportation
Road
Tribal Highway
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
607 S Veterans St
Population to
Protect
Emergency
Shelter
Royal River Casino &
Hotel
Private?
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
1000 W Pipestone
Government
Facility
Building
Maintenance
Building/ Buffalo
Mang/Natural
Resources/Fitness
Center
FSST
City of
Flandreau
1301 S Veterans St
Health
Building
FSST Fitness Center
& Diabetes Office
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
603 W Broad Ave
Government
Facility
Building
FSST Headquarters
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
503 W Broad Ave
Government
Facility
Building
Wicoicaga Otipi
Community Center
Public
FSST
Moody County
47223 SD Hwy 34,
Colman
Food/Fuel
Building
Prairie Junction LLC
Private
City of
Flandreau
City of
Flandreau
2 Blocks N of
Intersection of N
Crescent St & E 1st
Ave
Safety
Utility
Flandreau Dam
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
1001 S Veterans St
Food/Fuel
Building
First American Mart
Private
FSST
City of
Flandreau
606 S Center St
Population to
Protect
Building
Tate Win Apartments
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
100 Allen Dr
Government
Facility
Building
FSST Housing
Authority
Public
FSST
City of
Flandreau
503 W Broad Ave
Government
Facility
Building
FSST Education
Office
Public
FSST
Moody County
3/4 mile north of the
intersection of 229th
St & SD Hwy 13
Population to
Protect
Open Space
Powwow Grounds
Public
FSST
Flandreau
1301 S Veterans St
Health
Institution
Building
Native Nations
Cannabis
Private
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
48
ASSESSING VULNERABILITY: COMMUNITY CAPABILITIES
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B1.
Requirement 201.7(c)(3)(iv). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – C1.
Each community has a unique set of capabilities, including authorities, policies, programs, staff,
funding, and other resources for accomplishing mitigation. One important step in assessing the
vulnerability of a given community is to objectively review the capabilities to implement mitigation
strategies and to identify limiting factors. Each community reviewed existing administrative
documents, procedures, and policies. This helped the communities and planning team to evaluate
how existing capabilities contribute to the vulnerability by reducing or exacerbating disaster
impacts. Table 4.18 identifies whether each community has the specified administrative and
technical capabilities, and who serves in such capacity. Table 4.19 encapsulates the efficacy of
the specified planning mechanisms regarding disaster mitigation and to identify potential
deficiencies in the specified plans.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
49
Table 4.18: Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Local Jurisdiction
Administrative/Staff
Composition
Flandreau
Santee Sioux
Flandreau
Moody County
Board of Adjustment
Executive
Council
Planning
Commission
Elected Officials
Building Official
NA
Appointed
Appointed
Community Planner
NA
Appointed
Elected Officials
NA
Executive
Council
Aldermanic
Commission
Emergency Coordinator
Appointed
NA
Appointed/Zoning
Officer
Engineer/Highway Superintendent
NA
NA
Appointed
Floodplain Administrator
NA
City
Administrator
Zoning Officer
GIS Coordinator
NA
NA
Appointed
Planning Commission
Executive
Council
Appointed
Appointed
Zoning Officer
NA
City
Administrator
Appointed
Grant Writing Capability (Yes/No)
Yes*
Yes*
Yes*
Non-profit organizations focused on
environmental protection.
Yes**
Yes**
Yes**
Public-Private partnership initiatives
addressing disaster-related issues.
No
No
No
NA: This Jurisdiction has nobody serving in this role.
* First District Association of Local Governments provides these services without cost.
** East Dakota Watershed Development District.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
50
Table 4.19: Capabilities of Growth Guidance Instruments
Capabilities of Community Planning Mechanisms
Does the Future Land-Use Map identify natural hazard
areas?
Do the land-use policies discourage development or
redevelopment within natural hazard areas?
Does the plan provide adequate space for expected
future growth in areas located outside natural hazard
areas?
Does the transportation plan limit access to hazard areas?
Is transportation policy used to guide growth in safe
locations?
Are movement systems designed to function under
disaster conditions (e.g. evacuation)?
Are environmental systems that protect development
from hazards identified and mapped?
Do environmental policies provide incentives to
development that is located outside protective
ecosystems?
Do environmental policies maintain and restore
protective ecosystems?
Are the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan
related to those of the FEMA Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan?
Is safety explicitly included in the plan's growth and
development policies?
Does the monitoring and implementation section of the
plan cover safe growth objectives?
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
Flandreau
Santee
Sioux
Flandreau
Moody
County
NA
Y
Y
NA
Y
Y
NA
Y
Y
NA
N
N
NA
Y
Y
NA
Y
Y
NA
N
N
NA
N
N
NA
N
Y
NA
N
N
NA
Y
Y
NA
N
N
51
Flandreau
Santee
Sioux
Flandreau
Moody
County
NA
Y
Y
Does the zoning ordinance contain natural hazard overlay
zones that set conditions for land use within such zones?
Do rezoning procedures recognize natural hazard areas as
limits on zoning changes that allow greater intensity or
density of use?
NA
Y
Y
NA
N
Y
Does the zoning ordinance restrict development within,
or filling of, wetlands, floodways, and floodplains?
NA
Y
Y
Do the subdivision regulations restrict the subdivision of
land within or adjacent to natural hazard areas?
Do the subdivision regulations provide for conservation
subdivisions or cluster subdivisions in order to conserve
environmental resources?
Do the subdivision regulations allow density transfers
where Hazard areas exist?
NA
Y
Y
NA
N
Y
NA
N
N
Capabilities of Community Planning Mechanisms
Does the Zoning Ordinance conform to the
comprehensive plan in terms of discouraging
development or redevelopment within natural hazard
areas?
NA: This jurisdiction does not have the specified document. However, the Tribe collaborates closely with
the City of Flandreau and Moody County when development and land use is considered.
These plans were included in the Appendix.
FSST – PRE-DISASTER MITIGATION PLAN
52
ASSESSING VULNERABILITY: ESTIMATING POTENTIAL LOSSES
Requirement 201.7(b)(1)(iii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – A4.
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(ii). Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Tool – B3.
As part of this Plan the Planning Team decided to include estimates for number of structures, value
of structures, and the percentage of which are located within identified hazard areas. These
estimates shall be used in multiple ways, including the comparison statistics for future development
and disaster mitigation plans. Inconsistencies and missing information result from lack of existing
mechanisms, plans, and technical documents available.
Moody County and the City of Flandreau have continued to enforce floodplain ordinances
throughout the years. Any structures which would have been constructed during the last five years
would either be floodproofed above BFE (in a manner consistent with the applicable ordinance) or
placed upon property where it was determined the elevation was high enough to remove the
property from the floodplain prior to construction. Though assessed values change every year,
proportionally the number and/or percentage of lots with structures within the floodplain would not.
Further new, more detailed information will be available for future iterations of this plan which will
likely significantly affect the overall (economic) vulnerability of structures within floodplains of
Moody County.
The assessor’s office provided the assessed valuation of total
This text is long and has been trimmed here. Open the source document for the complete record.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.