Edmunds County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Edmunds County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.0, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire 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 Edmunds County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.0 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 Edmunds County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $231K in expected annual loss and about 19.11 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $236K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $484K in expected annual loss and about 3.71 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Edmunds County has a very 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: Edmunds County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Edmunds County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.11 / yr | $231K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $236K |
| Hail | Low | 3.71 / yr | $484K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 11.95 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $127K |
| Drought | Low | 8.95 / yr | $178K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.50 / yr | $320K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $445K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.21 / yr | $37K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 31.59 / yr | $23K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $6 |
| 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
Edmunds County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Edmunds County?
Edmunds County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.0 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 Edmunds County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $231K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $236K EAL), Hail (Low, $484K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Edmunds County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Edmunds County ranks #52 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Edmunds County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Edmunds County since 1969, most often 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm 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. Edmunds County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.