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

Clark County Disaster Risk

Clark County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#44

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

2th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 1% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clark County, Idaho

Clark County's risk is exceptionally low

With a composite risk score of 0.76 and a Very Low rating, Clark County sits far below the national average for natural disaster exposure. This puts your community among the safest in the country for multiple hazard types.

Lowest-risk county in Idaho

Clark County's composite score of 0.76 dramatically outperforms Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it the safest county in the state by a wide margin. Your neighbors across Idaho face significantly higher hazard exposure.

Standing alone in safety

Clark County's 0.76 score is nearly 45 times lower than Clearwater County's 46.91 and 68 times lower than Custer County's 52.42, its nearest regional neighbors. This exceptional advantage reflects both geography and relatively sparse development patterns.

Wildfire and earthquake are top concerns

Even in Clark County, wildfire risk registers at 64.66 and earthquake risk at 30.95—higher than flood (2.13) or tornado risk (1.49). These two hazards deserve your preparedness attention despite the county's overall low-risk profile.

Focus insurance on forest fire exposure

While Clark County's overall risk is minimal, properties in or near forested areas should carry robust wildfire coverage and maintain defensible space. Standard homeowners policies may exclude wildfire damage, so review your coverage with an agent now.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clark County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    65th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    31th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    2th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Clark County

Risk Verdict

Clark County's overall natural disaster score at the 1th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 1th percentile, Clark County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Clark County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 65th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 31th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (2th percentile), tornado (1th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 65th percentile nationally, Clark County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Clark County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's earthquake exposure at the 31th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Clark County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Clark County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Clark County's composite risk score sits 37.7 points below the Idaho county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Clark 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 Clark County, ID?
Clark County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Clark County?
Clark County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (65th percentile), earthquake (31th percentile), flooding (2th percentile), tornado (1th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 65th 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 Clark County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Clark County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Clark County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Clark County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Clark County's wildfire risk is at the 65th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clark County is at the 2th 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 Clark County a safe place to live?
Clark County's composite risk score of 1th 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 65th 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.