Spink County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Spink County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.7, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Spink County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 17.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $815K in expected annual loss and about 4.33 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 11.68 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $192K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Spink County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Spink County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 9 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (severe storm), declared in August 2022.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Spink County ranks #35 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Low | 4.33 / yr | $815K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 11.68 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $192K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 20.84 / yr | $146K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.45 / yr | $189K |
| Drought | Low | 1.88 / yr | $85K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.75 / yr | $930K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $317 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 3.32 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $105K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.92 / yr | $200K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 33.36 / yr | $38K |
| 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
Spink County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding in August 2022. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (9), Flood (9), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding |
| August 2013 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| May 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| May 2007 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| December 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Spink County?
Spink County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Spink County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Low, $815K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $192K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Spink County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Spink County ranks #35 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Spink County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Spink County since 1969, most often 9 for severe storm events and 9 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storm, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding, declared in August 2022.
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. Spink County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.