Lincoln County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Lincoln County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.0, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 17.84 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.49 / yr | $17M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.09 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 6.39 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 22.19 / yr | $879K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $219K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.63 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.71 / yr | $15M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.14 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.95 / yr | $471K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $810 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $79K |
| Lightning | Low | 38.57 / yr | $154K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lincoln County?
Lincoln County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lincoln County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $1M EAL), Tornado (High, $17M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lincoln County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Lincoln County ranks #6 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Lincoln County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.