Hanson County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 15th
Hanson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 14.8, 15th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 10.53 / yr | $692K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.62 / yr | $142K |
| Hail | Low | 5.58 / yr | $322K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 15.21 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.89 / yr | $610K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.29 / yr | $710K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $510 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.55 / yr | $303K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.95 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.21 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.52 / yr | $23K |
| 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 Hanson County?
Hanson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 14.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 15th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hanson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $692K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $142K EAL), Hail (Low, $322K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hanson County compare to other South Dakota counties?
Hanson County ranks #39 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. Hanson County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.