Hyde County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Hyde 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 $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hyde County at very low composite 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $471K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $658K in expected annual loss and about 8.63 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 15.52 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 1K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hyde County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
The federal record bears this out: Hyde County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Hyde County ranks #55 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $471K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.63 / yr | $658K |
| Drought | Low | 15.52 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.51 / yr | $28K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.76 / yr | $86K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.32 / yr | $21K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.31 / yr | $150K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.16 / yr | $15K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.72 / yr | $49K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $1 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.67 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Hyde County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (3), 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 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,Heavy Rains High Winds |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Blizzard Conditions |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hyde County?
Hyde 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 Hyde County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $471K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $658K EAL), Drought (Low, $65K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hyde County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hyde County ranks #55 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hyde County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Hyde County since 1969, most often 6 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Hyde County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.