Perkins County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Perkins County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.6, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Perkins County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.6 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.
Most of Perkins County's expected losses come from wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $216K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $92K in expected annual loss and about 15.78 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 8.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perkins County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Perkins County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 11 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Perkins County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $216K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.78 / yr | $92K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.57 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.55 / yr | $71K |
| Hail | Low | 2.67 / yr | $193K |
| Drought | Very Low | 51.54 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.14 / yr | $202K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $100 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $116K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.11 / yr | $12K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.17 / yr | $23K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.96 / yr | $920K |
| 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
Perkins County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (11), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2014 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| November 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| March 2010 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
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 Perkins County?
Perkins County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.6 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 Perkins County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $216K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $92K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perkins County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Perkins County ranks #64 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perkins County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Perkins County since 1976, most often 11 for severe storm events and 4 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. Perkins County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.