Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breanna Carter · Public domainFEMA puts Pine Ridge’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Ridge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (58%), then river and rain flooding (34%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Pine Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pine Ridge faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Pine Ridge’s grade
Wildfire is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Ridge, and Pine Ridge’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pine Ridge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Pine Ridge: $689K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Ridge flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pine Ridge. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Pine Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pine Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding301 households applied for aid$212K aid approved
- 564 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
Old photos of Pine Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Ridge archive →Get ready for what Pine Ridge faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pine Ridge
Is Pine Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Ridge has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (58%) and river and rain flooding (34%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pine Ridge in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map.
How much is flood insurance in Pine Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Ridge’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Pine Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Ridge, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2019): 301 households applied for aid, $212K approved.
Is Pine Ridge at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Pine Ridge’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Ridge’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.