Stanley County, South Dakota Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · SD
Very LowComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Stanley County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $120K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $84K in expected annual loss and about 16.32 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 0.45 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stanley County has a very low 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.
History supports the rating: Stanley County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 5 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm (winter storm), declared in February 2023.
Among 66 South Dakota counties, Stanley County ranks #59 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Stanley County has received 14 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm in February 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| February 2023 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2017 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| July 2008 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| April 1997 | Flood | Severe Flooding, Sever Winter Storms,Heavy Rains High Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 14 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Stanley County had?
FEMA records 14 federal disaster declarations for Stanley County since 1976, most often 5 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm, declared in February 2023.
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.