Natural Disaster Risk in Big Stone City
South Dakota
Risk Summary for Big Stone City
Big Stone City scores 4.6/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Big Stone City, South Dakota
Big Stone City, in Grant County, is a small community of about 1,584 situated in the northern tier of the continental United States. Its semi-arid continental climate brings harsh winters, hot summers, and significant seasonal variation, and in particular severe blizzards and spring flooding. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Big Stone City residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Big Stone City carries an overall risk score of 4.6/10, placing it in the moderate category. Arctic air outbreaks are the leading natural hazard, with temperature plunges to dangerous lows capable of causing hypothermia and widespread infrastructure failures. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and winter.
Within South Dakota, Big Stone City's risk is, near the 4.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Grant County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by ice storm and winter. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a moderate risk rating, Big Stone City residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for cold wave is recommended.
What this means for Big Stone City: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for Big Stone City
These city-level factors differentiate Big Stone City from other communities in Grant County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,584
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 45.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.0/10
Coordinates
45.3004° N, 96.5247° W
Grant County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Big Stone City
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Big Stone City
Other cities in South Dakota
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.