Brule County Disaster Risk
Brule County, South Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 66 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
29th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 29% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 20% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Brule County, South Dakota
Brule's risk substantially exceeds national
Brule County's composite risk score of 58.72 lands in the "Relatively Low" category but exceeds the national average by 119%. Your county experiences significantly elevated natural disaster exposure driven by wildfire, flood, and moderate tornado threats.
Well above-average risk in South Dakota
Brule County ranks in South Dakota's higher-risk tier with a composite score of 58.72, more than double the state average of 26.84. The county faces substantially greater hazard exposure than most other South Dakota communities.
Riskier than most surrounding counties
Brule's composite score of 58.72 exceeds neighboring Buffalo County (13.74) and Aurora County (19.59) but remains below Brown County (73.54). Brule ranks among the upper tier of South Dakota's most hazard-prone areas.
Wildfire leads Brule's hazard list
Wildfire risk (73.63) represents Brule County's dominant natural disaster threat, followed by flood risk (28.56) that reflects the county's position along major waterways. Tornado exposure (35.05) remains moderate but notable.
Emphasize wildfire and flood coverage
Brule County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wildfire and fire damage coverage plus a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Property owners near waterways should prioritize flood insurance given the moderate flood risk profile.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Brule County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Brule County
Risk Verdict
Brule County's FEMA risk score places it at the 59th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Brule County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (29th percentile), earthquake (20th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Brule County sits at the 74th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Brule County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's tornado exposure at the 35th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Brule County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The South Dakota county average is 31.9 composite points below Brule County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Brule County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Brule County, SD?
What types of natural hazards affect Brule County?
How does Brule County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Is Brule County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Brule County higher risk than average?
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.