Beadle County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
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
Risk Overview
Beadle County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 47.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 6.30 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $275K in expected annual loss and about 17.37 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $415K in expected annual loss and about 0.48 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 19K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beadle County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Beadle County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in June 2022.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Beadle County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Beadle County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in June 2022. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Beadle County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Beadle County since 1969, most often 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in June 2022.
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.