Campbell County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Campbell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.4, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Campbell County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $473K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $400K in expected annual loss and about 3.05 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $92K in expected annual loss and about 18.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Campbell 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.
History supports the rating: Campbell County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Campbell County ranks #61 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $473K |
| Hail | Low | 3.05 / yr | $400K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.26 / yr | $92K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.21 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Very Low | 16.63 / yr | $26K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.66 / yr | $27K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $192K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.02 / yr | $142K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $7 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 32.15 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Campbell County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,Heavy Rains High Winds |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Campbell County?
Campbell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Campbell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $473K EAL), Hail (Low, $400K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $92K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Campbell County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Campbell County ranks #61 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Campbell County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Campbell County since 1976, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Campbell County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.