Charles Mix County Disaster Risk
Charles Mix County, South Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
49th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#13
of 66 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
40th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 55% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Charles Mix County, South Dakota
Charles Mix faces above-average disaster risk
Charles Mix County scores 48.54 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but significantly above the national average. This elevated score reflects meaningful exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes.
Among South Dakota's riskier counties
At 48.54, Charles Mix County nearly doubles South Dakota's state average of 26.84, positioning it in the upper tier of statewide risk. Only a handful of South Dakota counties face comparable or higher composite disaster exposure.
Tornado risk elevated above regional average
Charles Mix County's tornado risk of 55.31 significantly exceeds neighboring Clay (60.18 but lower overall) and Codington (77.00) counties in eastern South Dakota. Its flood risk (40.46) also runs higher than western counties, reflecting Charles Mix's position in South Dakota's flood-prone southeast.
Tornadoes and floods dominate Charles Mix risks
Tornado risk (55.31) and flood risk (40.46) are Charles Mix County's primary hazards, reflecting the county's location in a historically active corridor. Combined, these two hazards account for the majority of the county's elevated composite risk score.
Tornado shelters and flood insurance are critical
Charles Mix County residents should invest in safe rooms or basements for tornado protection and maintain current flood insurance, especially for properties near waterways. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage; federal NFIP or private flood insurance is essential given the 40.46 flood risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Charles Mix County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Charles Mix County
Risk Verdict
At the 49th percentile nationally, Charles Mix County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Residents of Charles Mix County can use the 49th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Charles Mix County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (40th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Charles Mix County's primary hazard at the 77th percentile nationally. For Charles Mix 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 55th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Charles Mix 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
Charles Mix County falls 21.7 points above South Dakota's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Charles Mix County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Charles Mix County, SD?
What types of natural hazards affect Charles Mix County?
How does Charles Mix County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Is Charles Mix County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Charles Mix 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.