Blaine County Disaster Risk
Blaine County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
71th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Blaine County, Idaho
Blaine County carries elevated disaster risk
Blaine County's composite risk score of 65.36 significantly exceeds the national average of 50, earning a 'relatively low' rating despite above-average exposure. The county faces substantial wildfire and flood threats, making it considerably more hazard-prone than typical U.S. counties.
Higher-risk among Idaho counties
Blaine County's score of 65.36 exceeds Idaho's state average of 38.51 by a significant margin, placing it in the higher-risk category statewide. Only Ada County and a few others face greater natural disaster exposure within Idaho.
Blaine rivals Bannock in risk exposure
Blaine County's 65.36 score closely mirrors Bannock County's 66.89 and exceeds Boise County's 48.92, positioning it as a moderate-to-high-risk zone in central Idaho. This elevated exposure distinguishes Blaine from most of its regional neighbors.
Wildfire and flooding are primary threats
Blaine County faces a wildfire risk of 93.83 and flood risk of 70.52, both substantially above state averages and representing severe hazards for the county. Earthquake risk (73.70) is also moderately elevated, while tornado risk remains very low at 7.70.
Wildfire and flood coverage are critical
Blaine County residents should prioritize wildfire and flood insurance, neither included in standard homeowners policies, given the county's significant exposure to both hazards. Earthquake insurance should also be evaluated based on property location and risk tolerance, as this threat is notably elevated.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Blaine County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Blaine County
Risk Verdict
Blaine County's FEMA risk score places it at the 65th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Blaine County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (71th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Blaine County sits at the 94th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Blaine County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 74th percentile nationally means Blaine County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Blaine County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Idaho county average is 26.9 composite points below Blaine County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Blaine County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Blaine County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Blaine County?
How does Blaine County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Blaine County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Blaine 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.