Bennett County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Bennett County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.9, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Bennett County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Bennett County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $514K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 15.16 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $117K in expected annual loss and about 48.38 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bennett County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Bennett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Bennett County ranks #57 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $514K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.16 / yr | $47K |
| Drought | Low | 48.38 / yr | $117K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.11 / yr | $415K |
| Hail | Low | 3.56 / yr | $105K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Low | 38.28 / yr | $51K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.36 / yr | $99K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $61 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $121K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $22K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $371K |
| 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
Bennett County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| June 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornado, and Flooding |
| December 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| May 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bennett County?
Bennett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bennett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $514K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $47K EAL), Drought (Low, $117K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bennett County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Bennett County ranks #57 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bennett County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Bennett County since 1976, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in August 2024.
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. Bennett County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.