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

Hanson County Disaster Risk

Hanson County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#39

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 55% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hanson County, South Dakota

Hanson County risks remain well below national average

Hanson County's composite risk score of 14.82 falls substantially beneath the national average, earning a Very Low risk rating. The county enjoys relatively stable natural disaster exposure overall.

Hanson County is safer than most South Dakota counties

At 14.82, Hanson County scores below South Dakota's state average of 26.84, placing it among the state's safer counties. The county faces less overall natural hazard pressure than much of the state.

Moderate risk compared to nearby counties

Hanson County's 14.82 score is higher than nearby Hamlin County (9.99) and Haakon County (9.73), but lower than Hughes County (16.48). The county occupies a moderate position within its regional risk context.

Tornado poses Hanson's greatest threat

Tornado risk stands at 43.54—substantially higher than the county's other hazards and its primary natural disaster concern. Wildfire risk (54.83) runs a close second, while flood risk (15.04) and earthquake risk (13.20) are minimal.

Strengthen tornado and storm protections

Hanson County residents should prioritize tornado and wind coverage in their homeowners policies, given the county's tornado risk score of 43.54. Review your policy annually and ensure coverage limits reflect potential storm damage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hanson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    44th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Hanson County

Risk Verdict

Hanson County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 15th percentile nationally. Hanson County residents can take confidence from a 15th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Hanson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 44th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (15th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 55th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Hanson County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. A secondary tornado exposure at the 44th percentile nationally means Hanson County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Hanson County residents.

Regional Context

Hanson County falls 12.0 points below South Dakota's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Hanson 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 Hanson County, SD?
Hanson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Hanson County?
Hanson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), earthquake (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 55th 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 Hanson County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Hanson County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Hanson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Hanson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Hanson County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Hanson 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 Hanson County a safe place to live?
Hanson County's composite risk score of 15th 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 55th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Marshall County

South Dakota

-0.3

Very Low

14th percentile

Buffalo County

South Dakota

-1.1

Very Low

14th percentile

Gregory County

South Dakota

+1.3

Very Low

16th 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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