Brookings, SD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Brookings is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Brookings County, SD. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, tornado, and ice storm.
Storm events near Brookings
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Brookings's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Brookings itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Brookings County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Brookings along with the rest of the county, not a Brookings-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 64.2 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 48.4 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 23.1 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 40.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 80.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 42.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 75.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 80 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 29.3 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 7 | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | 62.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 92.6 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Brookings County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Brookings County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Brookings, SD at risk of?
Brookings is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Brookings County, where Brookings is located, are winter weather, tornado, and ice storm.
What is Brookings's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Brookings County, where Brookings is located, scoring 92.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Brookings a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Brookings carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Brookings County.
Has Brookings had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 10 tornado, 93 hail, 199 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Brookings since 2016.