Moody County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Moody County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.9, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Moody County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 26.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.88 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $180K in expected annual loss and about 19.05 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $564K in expected annual loss and about 5.42 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Moody County has a medium 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: Moody County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for flood events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding (flood), declared in August 2024.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Moody County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 0.88 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.05 / yr | $180K |
| Hail | Low | 5.42 / yr | $564K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.41 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Low | 12.38 / yr | $324K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $59K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 10.84 / yr | $844K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.67 / yr | $469K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.68 / yr | $171K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.11 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $167 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.69 / yr | $15K |
| 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
Moody County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Flood (9), Severe Storm (8), 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 |
| November 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Moody County?
Moody County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Moody County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $180K EAL), Hail (Low, $564K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Moody County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Moody County ranks #27 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Moody County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Moody County since 1969, most often 9 for flood events and 8 for severe storm 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. Moody County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.