Boundary County Disaster Risk
Boundary County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
26th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#29
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
46th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Boundary County, Idaho
Boundary's risk profile remains very low
Boundary County scores just 26.08, placing it well below the national average and in the very low risk category. Despite some wildfire exposure at 80.66, other hazards are minimal.
Below-average risk compared to Idaho
At 26.08, Boundary's composite risk falls 32% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of the safer counties in the state. Only a handful of Idaho counties present lower overall hazard exposure.
Safest county in the northern panhandle
Boundary's 26.08 score sits substantially lower than Bonner's 77.29, reflecting less flood exposure despite sharing similar wildfire geography. The county's remote location and sparse development contribute to its lower composite risk.
Wildfire dominates Boundary's hazard profile
Wildfire risk reaches 80.66, the clear hazard of concern in Boundary County, while flood risk of 45.80 is moderate and earthquakes score just 25.38. Tornado threat is negligible at 3.53.
Wildfire coverage is your priority
While Boundary has lower overall risk than most Idaho counties, wildfire insurance is still essential given your 80.66 exposure score. Standard homeowners policies exclude wildfire, so secure a separate policy to protect against this localized threat.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Boundary County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Boundary County
Risk Verdict
Boundary County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 26th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Boundary County residents can take confidence from a 26th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Boundary County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (25th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Boundary County's primary hazard at the 81th percentile nationally. For Boundary 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. The county's flood exposure at the 46th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Boundary 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, Boundary County's composite score runs 12.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Boundary County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Boundary County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Boundary County?
How does Boundary County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Boundary County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Boundary 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.