riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Beadle County Disaster Risk

Beadle County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

47th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Beadle County, South Dakota

Beadle faces above-average disaster risk

Beadle County's composite risk score of 47.14 places it in the "Relatively Low" category but 76% higher than the national average. Your county confronts multiple significant hazards, particularly tornadoes and floods that demand serious preparedness attention.

Mid-range risk within South Dakota

Beadle County ranks in the upper-middle tier of South Dakota's 66 counties with a score of 47.14, notably above the state average of 26.84. This positions Beadle among South Dakota's more hazard-exposed communities.

Comparable risk to regional peers

Beadle's composite score of 47.14 mirrors the risk profile of nearby Brookings County (50.06), making both communities some of South Dakota's more hazard-prone areas. Both counties significantly exceed the state average and face similar tornado and flood threats.

Tornadoes and floods threaten Beadle

Tornado risk (64.63) and flood risk (45.61) represent Beadle County's dominant natural disasters, reflecting the county's position in Tornado Alley. Wildfire exposure (74.75) adds a third substantial hazard that residents cannot ignore.

Invest in comprehensive disaster coverage

Beadle County residents should secure homeowners insurance with explicit tornado and windstorm coverage, plus a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. An interior safe room or storm shelter offers critical additional protection during severe weather events.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Beadle County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    75th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    65th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Beadle County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 47th, Beadle County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. A 47th percentile score positions Beadle County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Beadle County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 75th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (46th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 75th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Beadle County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 65th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Beadle County residents.

Regional Context

At 20.3 points above the South Dakota state average, Beadle County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical South Dakota county.

Is your household prepared for Beadle County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Beadle County, SD?
Beadle County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 47th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Beadle County?
Beadle County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (65th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), earthquake (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 75th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Beadle County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Beadle County's composite risk percentile is 47th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Beadle County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Beadle County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Beadle County's wildfire risk is at the 75th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Beadle County is at the 46th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Beadle County higher risk than average?
Beadle County's composite risk score of 47th percentile is above the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (75th percentile), along with tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hutchinson County

South Dakota

+0.8

Relatively Low

48th percentile

Charles Mix County

South Dakota

+1.4

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Lawrence County

South Dakota

+2.1

Relatively Low

49th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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