Lawrence County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Lawrence County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.3, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Lawrence County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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.
Most of Lawrence County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $397K in expected annual loss and about 24.60 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.22 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 26K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lawrence County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Lawrence County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Lawrence County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 24.60 / yr | $397K |
| Hail | Medium | 6.22 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.15 / yr | $563K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.37 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.60 / yr | $809K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.26 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $140K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $794K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Very Low | 30.80 / yr | $773 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $9 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Lawrence County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (5), Fire (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| June 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornado, and Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2007 | Fire | Box Elder Fire |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2005 | Fire | Sd Wildfire Camp Five |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lawrence County?
Lawrence County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lawrence County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $397K EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lawrence County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Lawrence County ranks #12 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lawrence County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Lawrence County since 1965, most often 5 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Lawrence County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.