riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jefferson County Disaster Risk

Jefferson County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#21

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jefferson County

Risk Verdict

Jefferson County has a very low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 40th percentile nationally. This county is among the safer counties in the United States from a natural disaster perspective, though no area is entirely risk-free.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Jefferson County, scoring in the 81th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 63th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (37th), tornado (7th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Jefferson County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jefferson County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Idaho. Its composite risk score is within 1.6 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Idaho as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jefferson County, ID?
Jefferson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (81th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake 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 Jefferson County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Jefferson County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jefferson County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Jefferson County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Jefferson County's earthquake risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jefferson County is at the 37th 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 Jefferson County higher risk than average?
Jefferson County's composite risk score of 40th percentile is above the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (81th percentile), along with wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Adams County

Idaho

-0.5

Very Low

40th percentile

Lemhi County

Idaho

+1.3

Very Low

41th percentile

Fremont County

Idaho

-1.8

Very Low

38th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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