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

Bon Homme County Disaster Risk

Bon Homme County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

11th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bon Homme County, South Dakota

Bon Homme ranks among safest nationally

With a composite risk score of 10.85, Bon Homme County sits comfortably in the "Very Low" risk category and just 37% of the national average. Your county experiences significantly lower natural disaster exposure than typical American communities.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Bon Homme County ranks in the very low-risk tier with a score of 10.85, well below South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county's disaster resilience exceeds roughly 90% of South Dakota's other counties.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Bon Homme's composite risk of 10.85 ranks below neighboring Beadle County (47.14) and Aurora County (19.59). Your county's exceptionally low risk profile makes it one of eastern South Dakota's most naturally secure regions.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest threats

Wildfire risk (53.50) represents Bon Homme's leading natural hazard, followed by tornado risk (33.17) that reflects typical Great Plains exposure. Flood and earthquake risks remain minimal at 8.87 and 13.64 respectively.

Standard coverage suffices for Bon Homme

Comprehensive homeowners insurance with standard fire and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection for Bon Homme County's low-risk environment. Consider a basic umbrella policy for additional peace of mind given the modest wildfire and tornado exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bon Homme County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    53th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bon Homme County

Risk Verdict

Bon Homme County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 11th percentile nationally, Bon Homme County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Bon Homme County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 53th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (14th percentile), flood (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Bon Homme County's primary hazard at the 53th percentile nationally. For Bon Homme County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's tornado exposure at the 33th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Bon Homme County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the South Dakota county average, Bon Homme County's composite score runs 16.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Bon Homme 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 Bon Homme County, SD?
Bon Homme County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 11th 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 Bon Homme County?
Bon Homme County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (53th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), flooding (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 53th 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 Bon Homme County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Bon Homme County's composite risk percentile is 11th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Bon Homme County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Bon Homme County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Bon Homme County's wildfire risk is at the 53th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Bon Homme County is at the 9th 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 Bon Homme County a safe place to live?
Bon Homme County's composite risk score of 11th 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 53th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

McPherson County

South Dakota

+0.3

Very Low

11th percentile

Douglas County

South Dakota

-0.4

Very Low

10th percentile

Jackson County

South Dakota

-0.7

Very Low

10th 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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