Miner County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Miner County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.4, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Miner County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.53 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $161K in expected annual loss and about 0.56 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $48K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Miner 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 county's disaster history tells the same story: Miner County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Miner County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 10.53 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.56 / yr | $161K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Hail | Low | 5.34 / yr | $312K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.63 / yr | $74K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 9.74 / yr | $932K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.38 / yr | $733K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.05 / yr | $44K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.57 / yr | $157K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $18K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $39 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.02 / yr | $8K |
| 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
Miner County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (7), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Flood | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| June 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| November 2019 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Miner County?
Miner County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Miner County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $161K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $48K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Miner County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Miner County ranks #63 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Miner County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Miner County since 1976, most often 8 for severe storm events and 7 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, declared in August 2024.
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. Miner County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.