Bingham County Disaster Risk
Bingham County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
60th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
59th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bingham County, Idaho
Bingham County faces moderate disaster risk
Bingham County's composite risk score of 60.15 exceeds the national average of 50, putting it in the 'relatively low' category. The county's exposure is driven by significant wildfire and earthquake risks, making it more hazard-prone than average American counties.
Above-average risk for an Idaho county
Bingham County's score of 60.15 sits well above Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. While it trails the highest-risk counties, Bingham still faces notably elevated natural disaster exposure compared to its state peers.
Bingham slightly safer than Bannock County
Bingham County's 60.15 score falls just below Bannock County's 66.89 but significantly exceeds Bear Lake County's 6.58, positioning it as a moderate-risk region in southeastern Idaho. This grouping reflects similar geographic and geological characteristics across the region.
Earthquakes and wildfires drive Bingham risk
Bingham County faces an earthquake risk of 88.30 and wildfire risk of 83.56, both well above state averages and representing the county's primary threats. Flood risk (58.78) is also moderately elevated, while tornado risk remains very low at 8.21.
Earthquake and wildfire coverage essential
Bingham County residents must secure both earthquake and wildfire insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude these hazards. Given your county's elevated exposure, obtaining robust coverage in both categories should be your immediate priority, with flood insurance as a secondary consideration.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bingham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bingham County
Risk Verdict
Bingham County ranks at the 60th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Bingham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (59th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Bingham County ranks at the 88th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. Alongside earthquake exposure, Bingham County's wildfire risk at the 84th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For earthquake preparedness, Bingham County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Idaho counties, Bingham County runs 21.6 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Bingham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bingham County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Bingham County?
How does Bingham County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Bingham County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Bingham County higher risk than average?
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.