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

Todd County Disaster Risk

Todd County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#22

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Todd County, South Dakota

Todd County faces above-average natural risks

Todd County scores 36.61 on the composite risk scale, significantly higher than the national average and placing it in the Very Low category. This county experiences elevated exposure across multiple hazard types.

Todd ranks among South Dakota's riskier counties

At 36.61, Todd County exceeds the state average of 26.84 and ranks among the state's higher-risk areas. Only a few South Dakota counties face comparable multi-hazard exposure.

Todd faces elevated risks in its region

Todd County's 36.61 score ranks it significantly higher than Stanley (5.06) and Sully (6.33) but compares closely to Tripp County (36.45) and Union County (37.12). This positions Todd in the higher-risk tier of its peer group.

Wildfire and tornado hazards dominate

Wildfire risk leads at 94.08—among the highest in South Dakota—followed by tornado risk (41.70) and flood risk (28.31). Residents face compounded exposure to fire, severe weather, and water hazards.

Invest in comprehensive disaster coverage

Todd County residents should secure robust homeowners insurance that covers fire, wind, hail, and flood damage. Consider additional coverage riders and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Todd County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    28th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Todd County

Risk Verdict

Todd County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 37th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Todd County residents can take confidence from a 37th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Todd County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (28th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Todd County's primary hazard at the 94th percentile nationally. For Todd 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. A secondary tornado exposure at the 42th percentile nationally means Todd County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Todd 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

Todd County falls 9.8 points above South Dakota's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Todd 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 Todd County, SD?
Todd County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Todd County?
Todd County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (94th percentile), tornado (42th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), earthquake (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 94th 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 Todd County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Todd County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Todd County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Todd County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Todd County's wildfire risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Todd County is at the 28th 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.
Why is Todd County higher risk than average?
Todd County's composite risk score of 37th percentile is above the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (94th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Tripp County

South Dakota

-0.2

Very Low

36th percentile

Union County

South Dakota

+0.5

Very Low

37th percentile

Roberts County

South Dakota

+1.2

Very Low

38th 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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