Yankton, SD
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Yankton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Yankton County, SD. The county's highest-rated hazards are drought, winter weather, and tornado.
Storm events near Yankton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Yankton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Yankton 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 Yankton County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Yankton along with the rest of the county, not a Yankton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 75.6 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 57.3 | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 29.3 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 63.4 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 86.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 73.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 93.7 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 85.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 82.2 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 68.8 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 78.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 57.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 92.5 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Yankton County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Yankton County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Yankton, SD at risk of?
Yankton 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 Yankton County, where Yankton is located, are drought, winter weather, and tornado.
What is Yankton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Drought is the highest-rated hazard for Yankton County, where Yankton is located, scoring 93.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Yankton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Yankton carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Yankton County.
Has Yankton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 5 tornado, 118 hail, 116 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Yankton since 2016.