Meade County west of Rapid City hosts Ellsworth Air Force Base — home of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and B-1B Lancer fleet making it one of the most strategically important bomber bases in the United States. The county faces serious blizzard and tornado risk on the northern plains. The 2022 blizzards caused significant disruption across the region. The county is part of the Black Hills area creating wildfire and flash flood risk from canyon terrain.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Identify an interior room or storm shelter.
- Monitor NOAA weather alerts continuously.
- Keep emergency kit accessible at all times.
- Prepare for sudden power outages.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 5 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Blizzard |
| Secondary Hazard | Flash Flooding |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Moderate |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 5 |
| Last Major Event | 2022 Blizzard |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (605) 347-4467 |
| Emergency Shelters | 4 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-90 US-14 SD-34 SD-79 |
// County Profile
| County | Meade County SD |
| State | South Dakota (SD) |
| Population | 29 |
| Area | 3,471 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Moderate |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other South Dakota Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.