Corson County Disaster Risk
Corson County, South Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#19
of 66 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
16th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% 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
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Corson County, South Dakota
Corson County's wildfire risk stands out
Corson County scores 38.10 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category but above the national average. Wildfire dominates the county's risk profile at 77.26, far outweighing other hazards.
Mid-range South Dakota risk profile
Corson County's 38.10 composite score exceeds South Dakota's 26.84 state average, placing it in the middle tier of statewide disaster exposure. The county's risk profile is driven almost entirely by wildfire concerns.
Wildfire risk comparable to northern counties
Corson County's wildfire risk of 77.26 matches neighboring Campbell (77.51) and Butte (86.90) counties in the northwestern region. However, Corson's overall composite risk sits lower due to minimal flood, tornado, and earthquake exposure.
Wildfire risk overwhelmingly dominant threat
Wildfire risk at 77.26 accounts for nearly all of Corson County's disaster exposure, while flood (16.09), tornado (23.60), and earthquake (7.41) risks remain minimal. The county faces a single-hazard risk landscape typical of rural northern South Dakota.
Wildfire coverage is Corson's insurance priority
Corson County homeowners should prioritize wildfire insurance riders or separate wildfire policies, as standard homeowners coverage typically excludes this hazard despite the 77.26 risk score. Defensible space maintenance around structures provides cost-effective additional protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Corson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Corson County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Corson County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 38th percentile. The 38th percentile national ranking is one lens; Corson County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Corson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 24th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 77th percentile nationally for wildfire, Corson 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 24th percentile nationally means Corson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Corson County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 11.3 points above the South Dakota state average puts Corson County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Corson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Corson County, SD?
What types of natural hazards affect Corson County?
How does Corson County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Is Corson County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Corson 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.