Brule County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Brule County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.7, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $19M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 6.47 / yr | $14M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $216K |
| Drought | Medium | 25.58 / yr | $590K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 15.53 / yr | $134K |
| Hail | Low | 4.27 / yr | $444K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $147K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.35 / yr | $637K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.70 / yr | $226K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.79 / yr | $33K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $34 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.48 / yr | $34K |
| 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 Brule County?
Brule County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brule County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $14M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $216K EAL), Drought (Medium, $590K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brule County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Brule County ranks #8 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. Brule County's $19M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.