Jerauld County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Jerauld County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.5, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jerauld County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 9.5 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 — $198K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 8.32 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $320K in expected annual loss and about 16.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jerauld County has a medium 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Jerauld County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 8 for flood events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Jerauld County ranks #49 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $198K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 8.32 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 16.35 / yr | $320K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $142K |
| Hail | Low | 4.40 / yr | $216K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.05 / yr | $43K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $291 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $255K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $98K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.68 / yr | $11K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.43 / yr | $9K |
| 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
Jerauld County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (8), Severe Storm (7), 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 |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jerauld County?
Jerauld County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.5 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 Jerauld County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $198K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL), Drought (Low, $320K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jerauld County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Jerauld County ranks #49 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jerauld County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Jerauld County since 1976, most often 8 for flood events and 7 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. Jerauld County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.