Natural Disaster Risk in Wallace

Natural Hazard Profile: Wallace, South Dakota

Wallace is a small unincorporated community in Codington County, in the northern tier of the continental United States. The area experiences harsh winters, hot summers, and significant seasonal variation, with severe blizzards and spring flooding shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Wallace.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Wallace carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to winter and cold wave.

Wallace's risk score, slightly above the 4.9/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Codington County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, winter, and cold wave. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Wallace's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that ice storm exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.