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

Caribou County Disaster Risk

Caribou County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

7th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#38

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% 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 3% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Caribou County, Idaho

Caribou's risk profile is very low

Caribou County scores 7.22, ranking among America's lowest-risk counties despite some moderate earthquake exposure. Most hazard types present minimal threat here.

Among Idaho's safest counties

At 7.22, Caribou sits 81% below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it solidly in the very low risk tier. Only Butte and Camas counties achieve lower composite scores statewide.

Safer than most southeastern Idaho counties

Caribou's 7.22 score is lower than Cassia's 43.58 and Bonneville's 82.41, reflecting its eastern location away from major fire corridors and flood zones. Its geography provides natural insulation from most hazards.

Earthquakes pose Caribou's main concern

Earthquake risk scores 72.11, the dominant hazard in Caribou County, while all other exposures are very low—wildfire at 80.98 for forested areas, flood at just 10.66, and tornado at 3.12. The seismic exposure reflects proximity to regional fault systems.

Earthquake coverage recommended for Caribou residents

Despite your county's overall low risk profile, Caribou's 72.11 earthquake score justifies securing earthquake coverage as an add-on to your homeowners policy. This specialized coverage is affordable given your low risk for other hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Caribou County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    72th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    11th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Caribou County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Caribou County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 7th percentile. At the 7th percentile nationally, Caribou County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Caribou County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (11th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Caribou County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 72th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Caribou County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Caribou County is 31.3 composite risk points below the Idaho state mean, meaning most other Idaho counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Caribou 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 Caribou County, ID?
Caribou County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 7th 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 Caribou County?
Caribou County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile), flooding (11th percentile), tornado (3th 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 Caribou County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Caribou County's composite risk percentile is 7th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Caribou County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Caribou County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Caribou County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Caribou County is at the 11th 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 Caribou County a safe place to live?
Caribou County's composite risk score of 7th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Franklin County

Idaho

+0.4

Very Low

8th percentile

Bear Lake County

Idaho

-0.6

Very Low

7th percentile

Camas County

Idaho

-1.2

Very Low

6th percentile

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.

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