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

Elmore County Disaster Risk

Elmore County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

52th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Elmore County, Idaho

Elmore County exceeds national risk average

With a composite risk score of 51.97 and a Relatively Low rating, Elmore County's hazard exposure surpasses the national average. The county's risk profile reflects significant wildfire vulnerability and moderate seismic activity.

Upper-tier risk ranking in Idaho

Elmore County's score of 51.97 sits well above Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevated position reflects the county's geography and land cover patterns.

Wildfire threat dominates the subregion

Elmore County's wildfire risk of 97.65 is the highest in its immediate region, surpassing Clearwater (96.41) and Gem (96.50) counties. This extreme exposure reflects dense forest coverage and extended dry seasons.

Wildfire is the paramount concern

Wildfire risk at 97.65 towers over all other hazards in Elmore County, with earthquake (41.95), flood (30.06), and tornado (7.06) presenting far lower threats. Fire preparedness and defensible space management should be top priorities for all residents.

Wildfire coverage is non-negotiable

Elmore County homeowners must confirm their policies include wildfire coverage—most standard homeowners policies exclude it. Combine insurance with annual defensible space maintenance: clear vegetation 30+ feet from structures and trim tree branches 10+ feet above roofs.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Elmore County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    42th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    30th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Elmore County

Risk Verdict

Elmore County ranks at the 52th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Elmore County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 42th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (30th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Elmore County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Elmore County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's earthquake exposure at the 42th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Elmore 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

Compared to other Idaho counties, Elmore County runs 13.5 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Elmore 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 Elmore County, ID?
Elmore County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 52th 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 Elmore County?
Elmore County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (98th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile), flooding (30th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 98th 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 Elmore County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Elmore County's composite risk percentile is 52th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Elmore County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Elmore County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Elmore County's wildfire risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Elmore County is at the 30th 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.
Why is Elmore County higher risk than average?
Elmore County's composite risk score of 52th percentile is above the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (98th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Custer County

Idaho

+0.4

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Boise County

Idaho

-3.1

Relatively Low

49th percentile

Valley County

Idaho

+3.7

Relatively Low

56th 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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