riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Camas County Disaster Risk

Camas County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

6th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#40

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

3th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% 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 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Camas County, Idaho

Camas ranks among America's safest

Camas County scores just 5.98 on composite risk, placing it in the very low category with minimal exposure to most hazards. Its high elevation and remote location shield it from major natural disaster threats.

Second-safest county in Idaho

At 5.98, Camas is nearly 85% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it one of only a handful of truly low-risk counties statewide. Only Butte County's 4.42 is lower.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Camas's 5.98 score contrasts sharply with Caribou's 7.22 and Cassia's 43.58, demonstrating the protected geography of central Camas County. Its isolation from major fault lines and fire corridors explains the dramatically lower risk.

Wildfire is Camas's only meaningful threat

Wildfire risk reaches 80.82, the only significant hazard in Camas County, while all other exposures are negligible—flood at 3.37, tornado at 1.72, and earthquake at 23.22. This concentrated risk simplifies emergency preparedness.

Wildfire coverage recommended despite low overall risk

Although Camas is among America's safest counties overall, your 80.82 wildfire score means standalone wildfire insurance is still prudent for those in forested areas. Standard homeowners policies exclude this hazard entirely.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Camas County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    3th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Camas County

Risk Verdict

At the 6th percentile nationally, Camas County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. A 6th percentile score positions Camas County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Camas County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (3th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Camas County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Camas County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 23th percentile nationally means Camas County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Camas County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 32.5 points below the Idaho state average puts Camas County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Camas County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Camas County, ID?
Camas County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 6th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Camas County?
Camas County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flooding (3th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 81th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Camas County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Camas County's composite risk percentile is 6th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Camas County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Camas County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Camas County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Camas County is at the 3th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Camas County a safe place to live?
Camas County's composite risk score of 6th percentile is below the Idaho state average of 39th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.