Jackson County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Jackson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.2, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Jackson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 10.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 — $385K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $152K in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $67K in expected annual loss and about 15.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jackson County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Jackson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 10 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Jackson County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $385K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $152K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.73 / yr | $67K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.63 / yr | $572K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.85 / yr | $242K |
| Hail | Low | 3.36 / yr | $82K |
| Drought | Low | 51.78 / yr | $15K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.81 / yr | $174 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 37.03 / yr | $38K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.26 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $114K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $892K |
| 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
Jackson County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (5), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| February 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| August 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $385K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $152K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $67K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Jackson County ranks #45 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jackson County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Jackson County since 1976, most often 10 for severe storm events and 5 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. Jackson County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.