Clearwater County Disaster Risk
Clearwater County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
47th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#17
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% 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 Clearwater County, Idaho
Clearwater County faces above-average risk
With a composite risk score of 46.91 and a Relatively Low rating, Clearwater County exceeds the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's position reflects significant wildfire and flood vulnerability in a mountainous, forested landscape.
Ranking higher risk than most Idaho counties
Clearwater County's score of 46.91 sits well above Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the higher-risk tier for the state. Only a handful of Idaho counties face comparable or greater hazard exposure.
Wildfire risk unites the region
Clearwater County's wildfire risk of 96.41 aligns with nearby Elmore (97.65) and Gem (96.50) counties, reflecting the region's shared forest fire exposure. All three counties face extreme wildfire pressure despite differences in other hazard types.
Wildfire and flood dominate the hazard profile
Wildfire risk at 96.41 and flood risk at 55.73 are Clearwater County's primary concerns, with earthquake (22.96) and tornado (3.44) playing minor roles. This combination reflects the county's mountain terrain and river valleys.
Wildfire and flood insurance are essential
Clearwater County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners coverage that includes wildfire (often a separate rider) and flood insurance through NFIP or private insurers. Properties near waterways or forested slopes face compounded risk and deserve immediate policy review.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clearwater County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clearwater County
Risk Verdict
At the 47th percentile nationally, Clearwater County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Clearwater County's favorable 47th percentile ranking.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Clearwater County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (23th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Clearwater County's primary hazard at the 96th percentile nationally. For Clearwater 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. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 56th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Clearwater 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
Clearwater County falls 8.4 points above Idaho's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Clearwater County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clearwater County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Clearwater County?
How does Clearwater County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Clearwater County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clearwater County higher risk than average?
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.