Hughes County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
Hughes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.5, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hughes County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $485K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $197K in expected annual loss and about 16.47 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $179K in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 18K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hughes County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hughes County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Hughes County ranks #36 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $485K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.47 / yr | $197K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $179K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.68 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 35.34 / yr | $107K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.14 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.32 / yr | $223K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.23 / yr | $161K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.24 / yr | $638K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.59 / yr | $336K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $166 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.88 / yr | $98K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| 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
Hughes County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Flood (5), 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 |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,Heavy Rains High Winds |
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 Hughes County?
Hughes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hughes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $485K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $197K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $179K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hughes County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hughes County ranks #36 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hughes County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Hughes County since 1969, most often 6 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Hughes County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.