Natural Disaster Risk in Crooks

Natural Hazard Profile: Crooks, South Dakota

Located in the interior eastern United States in Minnehaha County, Crooks is a small community of about 1,622. The semi-arid continental climate that characterizes this part of South Dakota — marked by harsh winters, hot summers, and significant seasonal variation — directly influences the types and severity of natural hazards present, making Crooks a community where hazard awareness has real practical value.

Crooks's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. Secondary hazards include tornado and winter.

Relative to other U.S. communities, Crooks's natural disaster risk is well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10, considerably above the 4.9/10 state average. The hazard distribution here is led by ice storm and tornado, as measured by FEMA across Minnehaha County. While city-specific sub-county variation exists, these scores represent the best available federal risk estimate.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Crooks residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.