Bear Lake County Disaster Risk
Bear Lake County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
7th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#39
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
7th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bear Lake County, Idaho
Bear Lake County has exceptionally low risk
Bear Lake County's composite risk score of just 6.58 places it among the safest counties in the nation, far below the national average of 50. This extraordinary safety profile reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards, making it one of America's lowest-risk jurisdictions.
Idaho's safest county by a wide margin
Bear Lake County's score of 6.58 is dramatically lower than Idaho's state average of 38.51—a 5.8x difference that makes it the state's clear safety leader. No other Idaho county comes close to matching this exceptionally low-risk profile.
Bear Lake far safer than regional peers
Bear Lake County's 6.58 score is a fraction of Bannock County's 66.89 and Bingham County's 60.15, positioning it as a remarkable outlier in southeastern Idaho. Its isolation and location provide natural protection from multiple hazard categories.
Earthquake is the only moderate concern
Bear Lake County's earthquake risk of 68.89 is its highest hazard score, though still below state average for this threat. Wildfire (78.37), flood (7.22), and tornado risks are all exceptionally low, making this county one of Idaho's true safe havens.
Earthquake coverage is your priority
While Bear Lake County enjoys exceptional overall safety, earthquake insurance should be your primary consideration given a 68.89 risk score in this category. Standard homeowners insurance is generally sufficient for other hazards in this remarkably low-risk county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bear Lake County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bear Lake County
Risk Verdict
Bear Lake County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 7th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 7th percentile nationally is an advantage for Bear Lake County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Bear Lake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Bear Lake County's primary hazard at the 78th percentile nationally. For Bear Lake County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 69th percentile nationally means Bear Lake County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Bear Lake County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Idaho county average, Bear Lake County's composite score runs 31.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Bear Lake County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bear Lake County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Bear Lake County?
How does Bear Lake County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Bear Lake County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Bear Lake County a safe place to live?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.