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

Spink County Disaster Risk

Spink County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

18th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% 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 16% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Spink County, South Dakota

Spink County's risk sits well below national average

Spink County scores 17.65 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Very Low category and below the national median. This score reflects a county where natural disaster risks are manageable and comparable to safer regions across the country.

Below average risk for South Dakota

At 17.65, Spink County ranks favorably within South Dakota, scoring well below the state average of 26.84. This positions the county among the safer areas in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Spink stands out in its region

Spink County's 17.65 composite score outperforms most neighboring counties—Stanley County (5.06) and Sully County (6.33) are lower, but Todd County (36.61) and Tripp County (36.45) face significantly higher risks. Spink remains a moderate-risk area within a diverse risk landscape.

Wildfire and tornado threats dominate

Spink County faces the highest risk from wildfires (66.54) and tornadoes (33.97), with flooding (25.32) as a secondary concern. Residents should prioritize fire-resistant property maintenance and have a tornado safety plan in place.

Secure wildfire and severe weather coverage

Given Spink County's wildfire and tornado exposure, homeowners should ensure their policies cover fire damage and wind/hail damage from severe storms. Review your coverage annually and consider adding riders for losses not typically included in standard policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Spink County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Spink County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Spink County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 18th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Spink County's favorable 18th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Spink County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 34th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (25th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 67th percentile nationally for wildfire, Spink 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 34th percentile nationally means Spink 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 Spink County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Spink County is 9.2 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 Spink 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 Spink County, SD?
Spink County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 18th 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 Spink County?
Spink County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (67th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), earthquake (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 67th 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 Spink County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Spink County's composite risk percentile is 18th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Spink County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Spink County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Spink County's wildfire risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Spink County is at the 25th 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 Spink County a safe place to live?
Spink County's composite risk score of 18th 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 67th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hughes County

South Dakota

-1.2

Very Low

16th percentile

Grant County

South Dakota

+1.2

Very Low

19th percentile

Custer County

South Dakota

-1.3

Very Low

16th 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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