riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Yankton County Disaster Risk

Yankton County, South Dakota

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 66 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

57th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Yankton County

Risk Verdict

Yankton County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 63th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Yankton County, scoring in the 87th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 76th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (57th), earthquake (29th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Yankton County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Yankton County is significantly riskier than the average county in South Dakota. Its composite risk score is 36.5 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Yankton County, SD?
Yankton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Yankton County?
Yankton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), wildfire (76th percentile), flooding (57th percentile), earthquake (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Yankton County risk compare to the South Dakota average?
Yankton County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Yankton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in South Dakota.
Is Yankton County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Yankton County's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Yankton County is at the 57th 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 Yankton County higher risk than average?
Yankton County's composite risk score of 63th percentile is above the South Dakota state average of 27th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lincoln County

South Dakota

-0.4

Relatively Low

63th percentile

Codington County

South Dakota

-1.6

Relatively Low

62th percentile

Brule County

South Dakota

-4.6

Relatively Low

59th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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