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

Buffalo County Disaster Risk

Buffalo County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

14th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#41

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Buffalo County, South Dakota

Buffalo enjoys exceptional disaster safety

Buffalo County's composite risk score of 13.74 places it in the "Very Low" category and represents just 47% of the national average. Your county ranks among America's safest regions for natural disaster exposure overall.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Buffalo County ranks in South Dakota's lowest-risk tier with a composite score of 13.74, well below the state average of 26.84. Only Bennett County (5.92) and Bon Homme County (10.85) present lower overall disaster risk than Buffalo.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Buffalo's composite risk of 13.74 ranks below neighboring Brule County (58.72) and Aurora County (19.59). Your county represents one of south-central South Dakota's most naturally resilient regions.

Wildfire Buffalo's primary hazard

Wildfire risk (76.37) dominates Buffalo County's natural disaster profile, creating the only significant exposure among major hazards. Tornado (20.23), flood (10.85), and earthquake (12.91) risks all remain minimal.

Focus on wildfire protection measures

Buffalo County residents should prioritize wildfire coverage in homeowners insurance and maintain defensible space around properties through vegetation management. Standard fire and windstorm coverage provides adequate protection against the county's minimal tornado, flood, and earthquake exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Buffalo County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    76th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    13th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Buffalo County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Buffalo County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 14th percentile. At the 14th percentile, Buffalo County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Buffalo County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (13th percentile), flood (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 76th percentile nationally for wildfire, Buffalo County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 20th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Buffalo County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Buffalo County is 13.1 composite risk points below the South Dakota state mean, meaning most other South Dakota counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, SD?
Buffalo County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 14th 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 Buffalo County?
Buffalo County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (76th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile), flooding (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 76th 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 Buffalo County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Buffalo County's composite risk percentile is 14th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Buffalo County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Buffalo County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Buffalo County's wildfire risk is at the 76th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Buffalo County is at the 11th 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 Buffalo County a safe place to live?
Buffalo County's composite risk score of 14th 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 76th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Marshall County

South Dakota

+0.7

Very Low

14th percentile

Hanson County

South Dakota

+1.1

Very Low

15th percentile

Gregory County

South Dakota

+2.4

Very Low

16th 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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