Stanley County

South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

5.1

National percentile: 5th

Stanley County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.1, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $4M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 3K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Very Low $120K/yr
Winter Weather
Low $84K/yr
Ice Storm
Low $50K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $120K
Winter Weather Low 16.32 / yr $84K
Ice Storm Low 0.45 / yr $50K
Drought Very Low 42.95 / yr $38K
Landslide Very Low 0.67 / yr $422
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.96 / yr $3M
Cold Wave Very Low 6.11 / yr $297K
Heat Wave Very Low 3.84 / yr $35K
Tornado Very Low 0.35 / yr $107K
Hail Very Low 2.86 / yr $47K
Strong Wind Very Low 2.66 / yr $93K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $6K
Lightning Very Low 33.90 / yr $17K
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 Stanley County?

Stanley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Stanley County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Very Low, $120K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $84K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $50K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Stanley County compare to other South Dakota counties?

Stanley County ranks #59 of 66 South Dakota counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Stanley County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.