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

Potter County Disaster Risk

Potter County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#46

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 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Potter County, South Dakota

Potter County offers exceptional safety

Potter County scores just 10.02 on the composite risk scale, placing it among the safest counties in the United States for natural disaster exposure. The county's very low rating sits well below the South Dakota state average of 26.84, indicating minimal hazard threat across all major categories.

Among South Dakota's safest counties

Potter County ranks in the bottom tier of disaster-prone South Dakota counties, with composite risk substantially below the state average. The county's position reflects favorable geographic location insulated from major hazard zones and stable underlying conditions.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Potter County's risk score of 10.02 ranks as one of the lowest in its region, well below nearby Oglala Lakota County's 49.84 and offering residents substantially safer conditions than western South Dakota neighbors. The northeast location provides natural protection from wildfire and flood exposure concentrations.

Wildfire represents only modest threat

Wildfire risk of 56.62 constitutes Potter County's primary hazard concern, though it remains moderate compared to western counties. Tornado risk of 17.94 and flood risk of 14.63 present minimal concerns, while earthquake risk is negligible.

Basic coverage meets your needs

Potter County residents benefit from exceptional low-risk exposure, making standard homeowners insurance adequate for most properties without specialized additions. Maintain annual policy reviews and ensure replacement-cost coverage aligns with current home values, but extensive disaster preparation investments are unnecessary.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Potter County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    18th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Potter County

Risk Verdict

Potter County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 10th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 10th percentile nationally is an advantage for Potter County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Potter County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 57th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 18th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (15th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Potter County's primary hazard at the 57th percentile nationally. For Potter County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, tornado at the 18th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Potter County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the South Dakota county average, Potter County's composite score runs 16.8 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Potter 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 Potter County, SD?
Potter 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 Potter County?
Potter County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (18th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 57th 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 Potter County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Potter 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 Potter County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Potter County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Potter County's wildfire risk is at the 57th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Potter 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 Potter County a safe place to live?
Potter 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 57th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hamlin County

South Dakota

-0.0

Very Low

10th percentile

Jackson County

South Dakota

+0.2

Very Low

10th percentile

Haakon County

South Dakota

-0.3

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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