Hand County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Hand County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.5, 6th 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
Hand County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 Hand County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $398K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.05 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $235K in expected annual loss and about 13.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hand 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Hand County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Hand County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $398K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.05 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 13.05 / yr | $235K |
| Hail | Low | 4.02 / yr | $359K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.95 / yr | $52K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.49 / yr | $55K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $299K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.53 / yr | $43K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.74 / yr | $101K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $7 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.18 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Hand County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| July 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hand County?
Hand County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hand County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $398K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Low, $235K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hand County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hand County ranks #54 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hand County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Hand County since 1969, most often 9 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in August 2024.
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. Hand County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.