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

Jerome County Disaster Risk

Jerome County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

21th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

31th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 9% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Jerome County, Idaho

Jerome County ranks among the nation's safest

Jerome County's composite score of 21.47 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster risk. This county offers significantly lower exposure to most catastrophic hazards.

Jerome County is Idaho's safest county

At just 21.47, Jerome County dramatically outperforms the state average of 38.51—roughly half the statewide risk level. The county consistently ranks as one of Idaho's lowest-risk areas.

Jerome County leads its peer group by far

Jerome County's 21.47 beats Lincoln County (9.06) and Lewis County (3.09) in composite risk, though those two are actually even safer. Jerome sits in Idaho's lowest-risk tier compared to its regional neighbors.

Wildfire is the only elevated hazard here

Wildfire risk reaches 90.24, but flood (31.14), earthquake (58.72), and especially tornado (8.97) all remain well-controlled. Residents should prepare primarily for wildfire, though overall risk remains very manageable.

Wildfire coverage is your key priority

Even in this low-risk county, wildfire exposure at 90.24 warrants confirmed coverage in your homeowners policy. Review your policy's wildfire exclusions and consider additional protection if living in a fire-prone area.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Jerome County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    31th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Jerome County

Risk Verdict

At the 21th percentile nationally, Jerome County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Even at the 21th percentile, Jerome County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Jerome County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (31th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Jerome County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Jerome County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 59th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Jerome 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

A composite score 17.0 points below the Idaho state average puts Jerome County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Jerome 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 Jerome County, ID?
Jerome County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 21th 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 Jerome County?
Jerome County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (90th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), flooding (31th percentile), tornado (9th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 90th 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 Jerome County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Jerome County's composite risk percentile is 21th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Jerome County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Jerome County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Jerome County's wildfire risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Jerome County is at the 31th 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 Jerome County a safe place to live?
Jerome County's composite risk score of 21th 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 90th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Minidoka County

Idaho

-1.0

Very Low

20th percentile

Benewah County

Idaho

-1.6

Very Low

20th percentile

Gooding County

Idaho

+4.0

Very Low

25th 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.

Explore more data for Jerome County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score