Brookings County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Brookings County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.1, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Brookings County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 50.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 50th 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.
Most of Brookings County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $739K in expected annual loss and about 21.00 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $594K in expected annual loss and about 0.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brookings County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Brookings County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in February 2023.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Brookings County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 21.00 / yr | $739K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $594K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 11.79 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.12 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $168K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.50 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.75 / yr | $9M |
| Drought | Low | 6.95 / yr | $126K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.37 / yr | $343K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $426 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.29 / yr | $32K |
| 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
Brookings County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm in February 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| November 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brookings County?
Brookings County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brookings County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $739K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $594K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brookings County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Brookings County ranks #9 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brookings County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Brookings County since 1969, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm, declared in February 2023.
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. Brookings County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.