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

Jones County Disaster Risk

Jones County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#66

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% 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 Jones County, South Dakota

Jones County faces the lowest disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 1.34, Jones County ranks as very low and sits far below South Dakota's average of 26.84, making it one of the nation's safest counties. Residents experience minimal natural disaster exposure compared to virtually all Americans.

South Dakota's safest county

Jones County's composite score of 1.34 is the lowest in South Dakota, where the state average is 26.84. The county's natural hazard exposure is negligible compared to all other statewide counties.

Exceptionally safer than peers

Jones County (1.34) is dramatically safer than every neighboring county, including Jerauld (9.51), Jackson (10.18), and Kingsbury (7.86). This central South Dakota county represents one of the nation's safest natural disaster zones.

Wildfire remains the only notable hazard

Wildfire risk scores 70.74 in Jones County—an anomaly in an otherwise extraordinarily safe county. All other hazards—tornado (11.93), flood (4.90), and earthquake (9.35)—pose negligible threats.

Minimal coverage needs in safest county

Jones County homeowners need only standard homeowners insurance, as natural disaster risk is exceptionally low statewide. Verify wildfire coverage is included and clear vegetation near structures, though supplemental policies are unnecessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jones County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    12th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    9th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jones County

Risk Verdict

Jones County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 1th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Jones County's favorable 1th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jones County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 12th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (9th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 71th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Jones 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 12th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Jones County residents.

Regional Context

Jones County falls 25.5 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 Jones 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 Jones County, SD?
Jones County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Jones County?
Jones County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (71th percentile), tornado (12th percentile), earthquake (9th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 71th 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 Jones County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Jones County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jones County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Jones County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jones County's wildfire risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jones County is at the 5th 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 Jones County a safe place to live?
Jones County's composite risk score of 1th 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 71th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Harding County

South Dakota

+0.2

Very Low

1th percentile

Perkins County

South Dakota

+1.3

Very Low

3th percentile

Miner County

South Dakota

+2.1

Very Low

3th 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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