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

Kingsbury County Disaster Risk

Kingsbury County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#51

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

9th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% 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

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kingsbury County, South Dakota

Kingsbury County has very low risk

With a composite risk score of 7.86, Kingsbury 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 the typical American community.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Kingsbury County's composite score of 7.86 places it among the state's lowest-risk counties, where the average is 26.84. The county's natural hazard exposure is minimal compared to most statewide peers.

Comparable safety to central South Dakota

Kingsbury County (7.86) is slightly safer than Jerauld County (9.51) and Jackson County (10.18), and notably safer than Lake County to the northeast (32.63). This eastern South Dakota county enjoys a favorable risk profile relative to its region.

Tornado risk outpaces other hazards

Tornado risk scores 34.38 in Kingsbury County—higher than the county's already-low flood (9.45) and wildfire (54.71) hazards. Despite this, the county's overall composite score of 7.86 remains very low statewide.

Standard coverage with storm awareness

Kingsbury County homeowners should ensure homeowners insurance covers wind and hail damage, given the relatively elevated tornado risk score. Basic policies provide adequate protection for most residents 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 Kingsbury County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    55th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Kingsbury County

Risk Verdict

Kingsbury County's overall natural disaster score at the 8th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 8th percentile, Kingsbury County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Kingsbury County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 55th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (12th percentile), flood (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 55th percentile nationally, Kingsbury County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Kingsbury County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 34th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Kingsbury County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Kingsbury County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Kingsbury County's composite risk score sits 19.0 points below the South Dakota county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Kingsbury 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 Kingsbury County, SD?
Kingsbury County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Kingsbury County?
Kingsbury County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (55th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), earthquake (12th percentile), flooding (9th 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 Kingsbury County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Kingsbury County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Kingsbury County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Kingsbury County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kingsbury County's wildfire risk is at the 55th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Kingsbury County is at the 9th 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 Kingsbury County a safe place to live?
Kingsbury County's composite risk score of 8th 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

Faulk County

South Dakota

+0.1

Very Low

8th percentile

Edmunds County

South Dakota

-0.9

Very Low

7th percentile

Deuel County

South Dakota

-1.0

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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