McCook County
South Dakota — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 43th
McCook County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 43.4, 43th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 16.58 / yr | $358K |
| Drought | Medium | 12.91 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 5.87 / yr | $918K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $325K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.42 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $154K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $13M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 8.11 / yr | $969K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $395 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.80 / yr | $412K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $44K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.53 / yr | $91K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 36.83 / yr | $26K |
| 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 McCook County?
McCook County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 43th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in McCook County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $358K EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hail (Low, $918K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does McCook County compare to other South Dakota counties?
McCook County ranks #16 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. McCook County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.