Meade County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Meade County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.5, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Meade County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.5 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 Meade County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $749K in expected annual loss and about 15.81 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $825K in expected annual loss and about 5.05 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Meade County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Meade County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for severe storm events and 6 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Meade County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | High | 15.81 / yr | $749K |
| Hail | Low | 5.05 / yr | $825K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.16 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 6.39 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.26 / yr | $154K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.39 / yr | $10M |
| Lightning | Low | 36.22 / yr | $283K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $181K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.91 / yr | $488K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.62 / yr | $859K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.09 / yr | $123K |
| Drought | Very Low | 58.56 / yr | $7K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Meade County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (6), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| December 2008 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Record and Near Record Snow |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| July 2006 | Fire | East Ridge Fire |
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 Meade County?
Meade County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.5 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 Meade County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $7M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $749K EAL), Hail (Low, $825K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Meade County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Meade County ranks #11 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Meade County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Meade County since 1965, most often 8 for severe storm events and 6 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. Meade County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.