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

Hand County Disaster Risk

Hand County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

6th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% 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 20% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hand County, South Dakota

Hand County faces exceptionally low national risks

Hand County's composite risk score of 6.46 ranks among the nation's lowest, earning a Very Low risk designation. The county enjoys minimal exposure to most natural disaster threats.

Hand County is South Dakota's safest regions

At 6.46, Hand County scores less than one-quarter of South Dakota's state average of 26.84. It ranks among the state's very lowest-risk counties for natural disaster exposure.

Among the region's most resilient counties

Hand County's 6.46 score is the lowest in its immediate region, safer than Hamlin County (9.99) and Haakon County (9.73). The county represents an exceptionally protected natural hazard environment.

Wildfire is Hand's primary hazard concern

Wildfire risk registers at 77.48—notably high for the county and its dominant natural hazard exposure. Tornado risk (20.20), earthquake risk (8.65), and flood risk (6.20) all pose minimal threat by comparison.

Prioritize wildfire protection above all else

Hand County homeowners should ensure robust wildfire coverage in their insurance policies, as it represents the county's sole meaningful natural hazard exposure. Verify your policy explicitly covers wildfire damage and review coverage limits annually.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hand County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    77th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    20th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hand County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Hand County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 6th percentile. Hand County's 6th 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 Hand County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 20th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 77th percentile nationally for wildfire, Hand 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. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 20th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Hand County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Hand County is 20.4 composite risk points below the South Dakota state mean, meaning most other South Dakota counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Hand 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 Hand County, SD?
Hand County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th 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 Hand County?
Hand County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (77th percentile), tornado (20th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Hand County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Hand County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hand County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Hand County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hand County's wildfire risk is at the 77th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hand County is at the 6th 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 Hand County a safe place to live?
Hand County's composite risk score of 6th 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 77th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hyde County

South Dakota

+0.0

Very Low

6th percentile

Sully County

South Dakota

-0.1

Very Low

6th percentile

Deuel County

South Dakota

+0.4

Very Low

7th 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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