Hutchinson County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 48th
Hutchinson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.9, 48th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hutchinson County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 48th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 24.23 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $221K in expected annual loss and about 16.00 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $821K in expected annual loss and about 5.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $19M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hutchinson 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: Hutchinson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 10 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Hutchinson County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 24.23 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.00 / yr | $221K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.85 / yr | $821K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $302K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $201K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.74 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.55 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.51 / yr | $578K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $659 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.79 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.32 / yr | $114K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.32 / yr | $59K |
| 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
Hutchinson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| May 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hutchinson County?
Hutchinson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 48th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hutchinson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $221K EAL), Hail (Medium, $821K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hutchinson County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hutchinson County ranks #14 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hutchinson County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Hutchinson County since 1969, most often 10 for severe storm events and 9 for flood 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. Hutchinson County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.