Deuel County

South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

6.9

National percentile: 7th

Deuel County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.9, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $5M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 4K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Low $256K/yr
Ice Storm
Medium $242K/yr
Winter Weather
Low $108K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $256K
Ice Storm Medium 0.64 / yr $242K
Winter Weather Low 23.11 / yr $108K
Hail Low 4.22 / yr $386K
Cold Wave Low 13.11 / yr $1M
Drought Low 5.78 / yr $82K
Landslide Very Low 0.09 / yr $579
Tornado Low 0.39 / yr $870K
Heat Wave Very Low 2.84 / yr $209K
Strong Wind Low 3.02 / yr $226K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.57 / yr $2M
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $9K
Lightning Very Low 34.18 / yr $7K
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 Deuel County?

Deuel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Deuel County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $256K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $242K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $108K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Deuel County compare to other South Dakota counties?

Deuel County ranks #53 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. Deuel County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.