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

Jackson County Disaster Risk

Jackson County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#45

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jackson County, South Dakota

Jackson County enjoys very low risk

With a composite risk score of 10.18, Jackson County ranks as very low and sits well below South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county experiences natural disaster exposure significantly lower than most of the nation.

Among the safest in South Dakota

Jackson County's composite score of 10.18 ranks it among South Dakota's lowest-risk counties, where the state average is 26.84. The county's natural hazard exposure is minimal relative to most statewide peers.

Comparable safety to Hyde County

Jackson County (10.18) offers similar protection to nearby Hyde County (6.49) and is notably safer than Lake County to the northeast (32.63). This Black Hills region county benefits from a favorable risk environment across the area.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Jackson County faces a wildfire risk score of 85.53—exceptionally high despite its low composite score, reflecting the landscape's seasonal fire vulnerability. Tornado (18.67) and flood (13.64) risks remain minimal.

Wildfire preparedness and standard coverage

Jackson County homeowners should ensure policies cover wildfire damage and maintain defensible space around structures, given the area's fire season dynamics. Standard homeowners insurance is generally adequate for other hazards in this very low-risk county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jackson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    19th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    19th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jackson County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Jackson County ranks at the 10th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. The 10th percentile national ranking is one lens; Jackson County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jackson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 19th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (19th percentile), flood (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jackson County sits at the 86th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Jackson County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 19th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Jackson County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

At 16.7 points below the South Dakota state average, Jackson County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Jackson 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 Jackson County, SD?
Jackson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (86th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile), tornado (19th percentile), flooding (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 86th 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 Jackson County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Jackson County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jackson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Jackson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jackson County's wildfire risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jackson County is at the 14th 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 Jackson County a safe place to live?
Jackson County's composite risk score of 10th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Potter County

South Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

10th percentile

Hamlin County

South Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

10th percentile

Douglas County

South Dakota

+0.2

Very Low

10th 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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