South Dakota natural disaster risk
South Dakota ranks #4 of 51 from safest. Its biggest relative risks are winter weather, hail, wildfire.
The vertical line marks the middle of U.S. counties (50).
Risk in South Dakota's largest counties
| County | Population | Risk score | FEMA rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnehaha County | 203,289 | 89.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Pennington County | 113,512 | 78.6 | Relatively Low |
| Lincoln County | 70,638 | 63.0 | Relatively Low |
| Brown County | 37,877 | 73.5 | Relatively Low |
| Brookings County | 35,353 | 50.1 | Relatively Low |
| Meade County | 30,546 | 49.5 | Relatively Low |
| Codington County | 28,767 | 61.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lawrence County | 27,233 | 49.3 | Relatively Low |
| Yankton County | 23,414 | 63.4 | Relatively Low |
| Davison County | 19,952 | 39.2 | Very Low |
| Beadle County | 19,309 | 47.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hughes County | 17,664 | 16.5 | Very Low |
| Union County | 17,081 | 37.1 | Very Low |
| Clay County | 15,219 | 20.5 | Very Low |
| Oglala Lakota County | 13,491 | 49.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lake County | 10,972 | 32.6 | Very Low |
| Butte County | 10,676 | 23.3 | Very Low |
| Roberts County | 10,221 | 37.8 | Very Low |
| Charles Mix County | 9,281 | 48.5 | Relatively Low |
| Todd County | 9,244 | 36.6 | Very Low |
| Custer County | 8,892 | 16.3 | Very Low |
| Turner County | 8,882 | 24.0 | Very Low |
| Grant County | 7,563 | 18.9 | Very Low |
| Hutchinson County | 7,404 | 47.9 | Relatively Low |
| Fall River County | 7,258 | 30.9 | Very Low |
County scores are averages, and the insurance figure above is what owners with a mortgage reported paying in 2024 (Census American Community Survey); premiums have risen since, especially in high-risk areas. For a specific home, check the address on FEMA's flood map and get insurance quotes before you commit. Our guide explains how to check natural disaster risk before you move.
Lowest-risk counties in South Dakota
- Lawrence County 49.3
- Meade County 49.5
- Brookings County 50.1
- Codington County 61.8
- Lincoln County 63.0
- Yankton County 63.4
- Brown County 73.5
- Pennington County 78.6
Cities in South Dakota
- Sioux Falls, SD risk 77.9
Frequently asked questions
Is South Dakota safe from natural disasters?
South Dakota's population-weighted FEMA risk score is 56.6 out of 100 (about average for U.S. counties), #4 of 51 from safest. No residents live in counties FEMA rates relatively high or very high.
What natural disasters happen in South Dakota?
The highest relative risks in South Dakota are winter weather, hail, wildfire (national percentile scores 86, 77, 75).
Where is the safest place to live in South Dakota?
Among counties with at least 20,000 people, the lowest FEMA risk scores are in Lawrence County, Meade County, Brookings County.