Deuel County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Deuel County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.9, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Deuel County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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 Deuel County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $256K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $242K in expected annual loss and about 0.64 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $108K in expected annual loss and about 23.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Deuel 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: Deuel County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in February 2023.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Deuel County ranks #53 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $256K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $242K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 23.11 / yr | $108K |
| Hail | Low | 4.22 / yr | $386K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 13.11 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 5.78 / yr | $82K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $579 |
| Tornado | Low | 0.39 / yr | $870K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.84 / yr | $209K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.02 / yr | $226K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.18 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Deuel County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm in February 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (9), 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 |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Deuel County?
Deuel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Deuel County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $256K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $242K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $108K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Deuel County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Deuel County ranks #53 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Deuel County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Deuel County since 1969, most often 9 for severe storm events and 9 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. Deuel County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.