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

Jerauld County Disaster Risk

Jerauld County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#49

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jerauld County, South Dakota

Jerauld County faces minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 9.51, Jerauld County ranks as very low and sits well below South Dakota's average of 26.84. The county's natural disaster exposure ranks among the nation's safest.

One of South Dakota's lowest-risk counties

Jerauld County's composite score of 9.51 places it among the state's safest counties, where the average is 26.84. Residents face dramatically lower natural hazard exposure than most South Dakota communities.

Safer than most central South Dakota peers

Jerauld County (9.51) matches the safety profile of nearby Jackson County (10.18) and is notably safer than Kingsbury County to the east (7.86). This central South Dakota county enjoys one of the region's most favorable risk environments.

Wildfire dominates despite low composite risk

Wildfire scores 72.71 in Jerauld County—surprisingly high given the county's overall very low composite risk of 9.51. Tornado (21.82) and flood (8.37) pose minimal, manageable threats.

Basic coverage with wildfire awareness

Standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for Jerauld County residents in this very low-risk county. Ensure wildfire coverage is included and maintain clear zones around your property during fire season, though major supplemental policies are unlikely necessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jerauld County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    73th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    22th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    10th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jerauld County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Jerauld County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 10th percentile. Even at the 10th percentile, Jerauld County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jerauld County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 22th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (10th percentile), flood (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 73th percentile nationally for wildfire, Jerauld 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 22th percentile nationally means Jerauld County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Jerauld County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Jerauld County is 17.3 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 Jerauld 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 Jerauld County, SD?
Jerauld 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 Jerauld County?
Jerauld County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (73th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (10th percentile), flooding (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 73th 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 Jerauld County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Jerauld 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 Jerauld County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Jerauld County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jerauld County's wildfire risk is at the 73th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jerauld County is at the 8th 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 Jerauld County a safe place to live?
Jerauld 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 73th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Haakon County

South Dakota

+0.2

Very Low

10th percentile

Hamlin County

South Dakota

+0.5

Very Low

10th percentile

Potter County

South Dakota

+0.5

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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