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

Codington County Disaster Risk

Codington County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

62th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#7

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

65th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 77% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Codington County, South Dakota

Codington County faces elevated disaster risk

Codington County scores 61.77 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but significantly above the national average. This elevated score reflects substantial exposure to multiple hazards, particularly tornadoes and floods.

South Dakota's riskiest county for natural hazards

At 61.77, Codington County's composite risk score is more than double South Dakota's 26.84 state average, making it the state's highest-risk county overall. Residents face the most extensive disaster exposure in South Dakota.

Clear leader in regional disaster exposure

Codington County's 61.77 score far exceeds neighboring Clark (4.55) and Charles Mix (48.54) counties, establishing it as the region's disaster hotspot. Its combination of high tornado (77.00), flood (65.20), and wildfire (71.02) risks creates a uniquely challenging exposure profile.

Tornado, flood, and wildfire all elevated

Codington County confronts three major hazards: tornado risk (77.00), flood risk (65.20), and wildfire risk (71.02), creating the state's most complex disaster profile. These three hazards combine to drive the county's significantly elevated composite risk score.

Comprehensive coverage essential for Codington

Codington County residents must maintain tornado safety infrastructure (safe rooms, basement reinforcement) and carry both flood and comprehensive homeowners insurance to protect against the county's multiple hazards. Properties in flood-prone areas should consider elevated construction or floodproofing given the 65.20 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Codington County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    65th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Codington County

Risk Verdict

Codington County's FEMA risk score places it at the 62th 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

Tornado risk is Codington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 71th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (65th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Tornado exposure at the 77th percentile nationally makes Codington County a county where a battery-powered weather radio — not just smartphone apps — is a worthwhile household investment, given that mobile networks often fail during severe storms. The secondary wildfire hazard at the 71th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Codington County's preparedness calendar, since wildfire and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. In Codington County, tornado watches indicate favorable atmospheric conditions while warnings mean rotation has been detected — households benefit from understanding this distinction so they shelter immediately on a warning, not after seeking visual confirmation.

Regional Context

The South Dakota county average is 34.9 composite points below Codington County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Codington 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 Codington County, SD?
Codington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 62th 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 Codington County?
Codington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (77th percentile), wildfire (71th percentile), flooding (65th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 77th 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 Codington County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Codington County's composite risk percentile is 62th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Codington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Codington County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Codington County's tornado risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Codington County is at the 65th 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.
Why is Codington County higher risk than average?
Codington County's composite risk score of 62th percentile is above the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (77th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lincoln County

South Dakota

+1.2

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Yankton County

South Dakota

+1.6

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Brule County

South Dakota

-3.1

Relatively Low

59th 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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