Walworth County Disaster Risk
Walworth County, South Dakota
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
40th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#17
of 66 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
35th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Walworth County, South Dakota
Walworth County faces elevated disaster risks
Walworth County scores 39.50 on the composite risk scale, substantially above the national average and ranked as Very Low. This represents one of the higher-risk profiles in the county's region.
Walworth is South Dakota's riskiest profiled county
At 39.50, Walworth County ranks highest among the eight counties profiled and exceeds the state average of 26.84 by nearly 50 percent. It faces the most complex and compounded natural disaster exposure in this group.
Walworth leads the high-risk corridor
Walworth County's 39.50 surpasses all peer counties in this analysis, including Union (37.12), Todd (36.61), and Tripp (36.45). It represents the highest-risk area in a zone of elevated hazard exposure.
Wildfire and flood risks reign supreme
Wildfire risk leads at 80.69, with substantial flood exposure at 34.76 and moderate tornado risk (27.67) completing the hazard profile. Residents face particular vulnerability to fire and water-related disasters.
Build robust, layered insurance protection
Walworth County homeowners should invest in comprehensive coverage for fire, flood, wind, and hail—ideally through both standard and supplemental policies. Annual policy reviews and property improvements focused on fire mitigation are essential in this high-risk environment.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Walworth County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Walworth County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Walworth County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 40th percentile. At the 40th percentile nationally, Walworth County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Walworth County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 35th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (28th percentile), earthquake (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Walworth 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. The county's flood exposure at the 35th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Walworth County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 12.7 points above the South Dakota state average puts Walworth County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Walworth County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Walworth County, SD?
What types of natural hazards affect Walworth County?
How does Walworth County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Is Walworth County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Walworth County higher risk than average?
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.