Harding County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Harding County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.5, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Harding County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 Harding County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $760K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 15.63 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $41K in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Harding 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: Harding County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Harding County ranks #65 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $760K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.63 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.43 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.55 / yr | $123K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 8.05 / yr | $354K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.72 / yr | $150 |
| Drought | Very Low | 48.50 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $64K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.79 / yr | $64K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $772K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.51 / 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 |
Disaster History
Harding County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| December 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| May 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| June 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harding County?
Harding County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harding County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $760K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $65K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $41K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harding County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Harding County ranks #65 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Harding County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Harding County since 1976, most often 8 for severe storm events and 2 for biological 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. Harding County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.