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

Deuel County Disaster Risk

Deuel County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#53

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Deuel County, South Dakota

Deuel ranks among lowest-risk counties nationally

Deuel County's composite risk score of 6.87 places it far below South Dakota's 26.84 state average and near the bottom of national disaster vulnerability rankings. This "Very Low" rating reflects genuinely minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Lowest-risk county in South Dakota

Deuel County ranks among the safest in South Dakota, with its 6.87 composite score placing it in the lowest tier of statewide natural disaster risk. Few South Dakota counties offer comparable protection from multiple hazard types.

Safest county in northeastern South Dakota

Deuel County's 6.87 risk score makes it significantly safer than neighboring Davison County (39.25) and Day County (27.64) in the region. Only nearby Edmunds County (6.97) approaches Deuel's exceptionally low vulnerability level.

Wildfire presents only notable hazard

Wildfire risk of 69.94 is Deuel County's primary natural disaster concern, though it remains moderate compared to western counties. All other hazards—tornado (32.41), flood (9.29), and earthquake (6.27)—fall well below state and national averages.

Basic coverage meets most needs

Deuel County's minimal risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection without specialized riders. Focus on maintaining a wildfire-resistant landscape and ensuring smoke detection systems function properly rather than purchasing premium disaster coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Deuel County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    32th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Deuel County

Risk Verdict

Deuel County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 7th percentile nationally. Deuel County's 7th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Deuel County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (9th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Deuel County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 70th percentile nationally. Deuel County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's tornado exposure at the 32th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Deuel County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The South Dakota county average exceeds Deuel County's score by 20.0 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Deuel 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 Deuel County, SD?
Deuel County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th 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 Deuel County?
Deuel County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (70th percentile), tornado (32th percentile), flooding (9th percentile), earthquake (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 70th 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 Deuel County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Deuel County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Deuel County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Deuel County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Deuel County's wildfire risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Deuel County is at the 9th 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 Deuel County a safe place to live?
Deuel County's composite risk score of 7th 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 70th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Edmunds County

South Dakota

+0.1

Very Low

7th percentile

Hyde County

South Dakota

-0.4

Very Low

6th percentile

Hand County

South Dakota

-0.4

Very Low

6th 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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