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

Gregory County Disaster Risk

Gregory County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

16th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% 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 29% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Gregory County, South Dakota

Gregory County's risk ranks well below national norms

Gregory County scores 16.16 on the composite risk scale, well beneath the national average and earning a Very Low risk rating. This reflects a relatively stable natural hazard environment across the county.

Gregory County is safer than most South Dakota peers

At 16.16, Gregory County's composite score falls significantly below South Dakota's state average of 26.84, positioning it among the state's lower-risk counties. The county benefits from below-average exposure across multiple hazard types.

Comparable risk to nearby Haakon County

Gregory County's 16.16 score mirrors the risk profile of adjacent Haakon County (9.73), though Gregory experiences somewhat higher overall exposure. Both counties share a Very Low risk designation and similar geographic pressures.

Wildfire dominates Gregory's hazard profile

Wildfire risk stands at 70.01—Gregory County's primary natural hazard concern by a significant margin. Tornado risk (29.01) and earthquake risk (15.49) are present but substantially lower; flood risk (15.43) poses minimal threat.

Wildfire insurance is your top priority

Gregory County homeowners should verify that their policies explicitly cover wildfire damage, given the county's elevated wildfire risk score of 70.01. Standard homeowners coverage may have gaps—review your policy details carefully.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Gregory County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    29th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Gregory County

Risk Verdict

Gregory County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 16th percentile nationally. Even at the 16th percentile, Gregory County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Gregory County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 29th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (15th percentile), flood (15th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Gregory County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 70th percentile nationally. Gregory 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 29th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Gregory 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 Gregory County's score by 10.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Gregory 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 Gregory County, SD?
Gregory County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 16th 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 Gregory County?
Gregory County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (70th percentile), tornado (29th percentile), earthquake (15th percentile), flooding (15th 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 Gregory County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Gregory County's composite risk percentile is 16th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Gregory County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Gregory County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Gregory County's wildfire risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Gregory County is at the 15th 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 Gregory County a safe place to live?
Gregory County's composite risk score of 16th 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

Custer County

South Dakota

+0.2

Very Low

16th percentile

Hughes County

South Dakota

+0.3

Very Low

16th percentile

Hanson County

South Dakota

-1.3

Very Low

15th 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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