Kingsbury County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Kingsbury County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 7.9, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Kingsbury County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 7.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 8th 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.
Most of Kingsbury County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $255K in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $654K in expected annual loss and about 4.90 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $100K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kingsbury 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 federal record bears this out: Kingsbury 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 Winter Storms and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in February 2023.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Kingsbury County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $255K |
| Hail | Low | 4.90 / yr | $654K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $100K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.79 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 4.89 / yr | $236K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 18.58 / yr | $98K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.51 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.21 / yr | $118K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.36 / yr | $273K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $85 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 34.73 / yr | $16K |
| 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
Kingsbury County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm in February 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (10), Flood (9), Winter Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| November 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| October 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
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 Kingsbury County?
Kingsbury County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 7.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kingsbury County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $255K EAL), Hail (Low, $654K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $100K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kingsbury County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Kingsbury County ranks #51 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kingsbury County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Kingsbury County since 1969, most often 10 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm, declared in February 2023.
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. Kingsbury County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.