Vermillion, SD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Vermillion is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk — among the lowest-risk counties in the country — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Clay County, SD. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, winter weather, and hail.
Storm events near Vermillion
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Vermillion's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Vermillion 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 Clay County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Vermillion along with the rest of the county, not a Vermillion-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 41.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 28.7 | Very Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 13.3 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 30.1 | Very Low |
| Tornado | 60.2 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 22.9 | Very Low |
| Drought | 72.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 65.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 61.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 32 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 35.8 | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | 31.9 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 72 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Clay County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Clay County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Vermillion, SD at risk of?
Vermillion is rated Very Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The highest-rated hazards for Clay County, where Vermillion is located, are drought, winter weather, and hail.
What is Vermillion's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Clay County, where Vermillion is located, scoring 72.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Vermillion a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Vermillion carries among the lowest-risk counties in the country for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Very Low" for Clay County.
Has Vermillion had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 4 tornado, 135 hail, 206 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Vermillion since 2016.