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

Fremont County Disaster Risk

Fremont County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#23

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

41th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Fremont County, Idaho

Fremont County faces above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 38.26 and a Very Low rating, Fremont County closely mirrors the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk reflects significant earthquake and wildfire vulnerability.

Moderate risk for an Idaho county

Fremont County's score of 38.26 sits just below Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. Several Idaho counties face higher hazard exposure; several face lower.

Earthquake risk centers Fremont's profile

Fremont County's earthquake risk of 82.92 is among the highest in south-central Idaho, exceeding Custer (79.29) and Teton County equivalents. This seismic exposure is the county's defining risk differentiator.

Earthquake and wildfire are top priorities

Fremont County faces earthquake risk of 82.92 and wildfire risk of 87.09, while flood (41.41) and tornado (6.77) pose lesser threats. The county's position in an active seismic belt makes earthquake the most distinctive hazard.

Earthquake coverage protects your investment

Fremont County residents should prioritize earthquake insurance alongside standard homeowners coverage, as earthquakes are excluded from most basic policies. Also secure wildfire coverage or a rider, and consider structural reinforcement in older homes.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Fremont County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    41th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Fremont County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Fremont County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 38th percentile. Residents of Fremont County can use the 38th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Fremont County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (41th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for wildfire, Fremont 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 83th percentile nationally means Fremont County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Fremont County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Fremont County's composite risk score is within 0.2 points of the Idaho county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Fremont 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 Fremont County, ID?
Fremont County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Fremont County?
Fremont County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (87th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (41th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 87th 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 Fremont County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Fremont County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Fremont County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Fremont County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Fremont County's wildfire risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Fremont County is at the 41th 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 Fremont County a safe place to live?
Fremont County's composite risk score of 38th 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 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Adams County

Idaho

+1.3

Very Low

40th percentile

Jefferson County

Idaho

+1.8

Very Low

40th percentile

Lemhi County

Idaho

+3.2

Very Low

41th 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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