Brookings County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 50th
Brookings County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 50.1, 50th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 21.00 / yr | $739K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.58 / yr | $594K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 11.79 / yr | $4M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.12 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $168K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.50 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.75 / yr | $9M |
| Drought | Low | 6.95 / yr | $126K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.37 / yr | $343K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $426 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 35.29 / yr | $32K |
| 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 Brookings County?
Brookings County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 50.1 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 Brookings County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $739K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $594K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brookings County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Brookings County ranks #9 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. Brookings County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.