Hamlin County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Hamlin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.0, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $203K |
| Hail | Low | 4.34 / yr | $489K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 12.74 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.84 / yr | $90K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $60K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.09 / yr | $683K |
| Drought | Low | 4.43 / yr | $99K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.32 / yr | $980K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $160K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $147 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.93 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.83 / yr | $10K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hamlin County?
Hamlin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.0 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 Hamlin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $203K EAL), Hail (Low, $489K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hamlin County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hamlin County ranks #46 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Hamlin County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.