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

Bennett County Disaster Risk

Bennett County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bennett County, South Dakota

Bennett enjoys exceptional disaster safety

Bennett County's composite risk score of 5.92 ranks in the "Very Low" category and represents one of the nation's safest regions for natural disasters. Your county's risk profile is just 20% of the national average, making it exceptionally insulated from most hazards.

South Dakota's lowest-risk county

Bennett County boasts South Dakota's lowest composite risk score at 5.92, dramatically undershooting the state average of 26.84. No other South Dakota county comes close to Bennett's exceptional natural disaster safety.

Vastly safer than surrounding counties

Bennett's score of 5.92 stands far below neighboring Aurora County (19.59) and Buffalo County (13.74), establishing it as a uniquely low-risk pocket in western South Dakota. This exceptional safety extends across all hazard categories except wildfire.

Wildfire is Bennett's sole concern

Wildfire risk (87.12) stands remarkably high in Bennett County despite the county's overall very low composite score. All other hazards—flood (4.29), tornado (18.51), and earthquake (17.62)—remain minimal, making wildfire Bennett's primary natural disaster threat.

Focus wildfire protection efforts

Bennett County residents should prioritize wildfire insurance coverage and maintain defensible space around homes with vegetation management. Standard homeowners insurance with fire protection provides adequate coverage for the county's exceptionally low tornado, flood, and earthquake exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bennett County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    18th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bennett County

Risk Verdict

Bennett County's overall natural disaster score at the 6th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Being ranked at the 6th percentile nationally is an advantage for Bennett County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bennett County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (18th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 87th percentile nationally, Bennett County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Bennett County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 19th percentile nationally means Bennett County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Bennett County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Bennett County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Bennett County's composite risk score sits 20.9 points below the South Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Bennett 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 Bennett County, SD?
Bennett County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Bennett County?
Bennett County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (87th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), earthquake (18th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 87th 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 Bennett County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Bennett County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bennett County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Bennett County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bennett County's wildfire risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bennett County is at the 4th 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.
Is Bennett County a safe place to live?
Bennett County's composite risk score of 6th percentile is below the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Sully County

South Dakota

+0.4

Very Low

6th percentile

Hand County

South Dakota

+0.5

Very Low

6th percentile

Hyde County

South Dakota

+0.6

Very Low

6th 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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