Butte County Disaster Risk
Butte County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
4th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#41
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
9th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 46% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Butte County, Idaho
Butte is Idaho's lowest-risk county
Butte County scores just 4.42, ranking among the nation's lowest composite risk counties. This exceptionally low score reflects minimal flood, tornado, and wildfire threats.
Safest county in all of Idaho
At 4.42, Butte's composite risk is 89% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it the safest county in the state by a substantial margin. Few counties nationwide achieve such low hazard exposure.
Dramatically safer than nearby counties
Butte's 4.42 score is a fraction of Camas County's 5.98 and vastly lower than Bonneville's 82.41 across the state. Its remote, high-elevation location in central Idaho isolates it from major hazard corridors.
Minimal natural disaster exposure here
Butte County faces negligible tornado risk (3.02) and minimal flood risk (9.13), with wildfire at 45.50 being the only moderate concern. Earthquake exposure of 45.90 is the highest relative hazard, though still below national norms.
Standard insurance typically sufficient
Butte's exceptional risk profile means standard homeowners insurance provides solid protection for most residents. However, those in forested areas should still confirm wildfire coverage given your 45.50 wildfire exposure score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Butte County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Butte County
Risk Verdict
Butte County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 4th percentile nationally. Residents of Butte County can use the 4th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Butte County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 56th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 46th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (9th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Butte County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 56th percentile nationally. Butte County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 46th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. For Butte County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
The Idaho county average exceeds Butte County's score by 34.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Butte County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Butte County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Butte County?
How does Butte County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Butte County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Butte 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.