Beadle County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Beadle County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.1, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 6.30 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 17.37 / yr | $275K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $415K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 9.95 / yr | $3M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.49 / yr | $834K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $283K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.67 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.50 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.00 / yr | $527K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.42 / yr | $321K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $56K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $229 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.51 / yr | $43K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beadle County?
Beadle County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beadle County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $275K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $415K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beadle County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Beadle County ranks #15 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Beadle County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.