Haakon County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Haakon County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.7, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Haakon County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 9.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 — $145K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.21 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 15.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Haakon County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Haakon County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2022.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Haakon County ranks #48 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $145K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.21 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.05 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Low | 55.70 / yr | $34K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.44 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.84 / yr | $243K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.67 / yr | $229 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $66K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $42K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.32 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Haakon County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 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 |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| December 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Haakon County?
Haakon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Haakon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $145K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Haakon County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Haakon County ranks #48 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Haakon County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Haakon County since 1976, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 2022.
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. Haakon County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.