Oglala Lakota County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Oglala Lakota County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.8, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.62 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 38.75 / yr | $545K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.84 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.17 / yr | $59K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.55 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Low | 5.42 / yr | $182K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $473K |
| Drought | Low | 58.21 / yr | $37K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.39 / yr | $85K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.86 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| 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 Oglala Lakota County?
Oglala Lakota County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 50th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Oglala Lakota County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $545K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Oglala Lakota County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Oglala Lakota County ranks #10 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. Oglala Lakota County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.