Latah County Disaster Risk
Latah County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
33th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#25
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
50th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 50% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% 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 44% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Latah County, Idaho
Latah County presents very low national risk
Latah County's composite score of 33.27 and "Very Low" rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. The county's risk profile remains manageable across most hazard categories.
Latah County sits just below Idaho's average
At 33.27, Latah County scores slightly below the state average of 38.51, ranking it among Idaho's safer counties. The county benefits from relatively balanced hazard exposure with no single dominant threat.
Latah County moderately outperforms peers
Latah County's 33.27 beats Idaho County (78.37) significantly, placing it in a lower-risk category than its northern neighbors. The county ranks closer to Jerome County (21.47) in overall safety.
Wildfire dominates; flooding poses secondary threat
Wildfire risk scores a high 92.08, while flood risk reaches 50.41—making these the county's primary concerns. Earthquake (43.61) and tornado (9.45) risks remain comparatively low.
Wildfire insurance should be your first step
With wildfire risk near 92, homeowners must verify that their policy includes wildfire coverage or add it immediately. Consider also reviewing flood insurance if your home sits near waterways or flood-prone areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Latah County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Latah County
Risk Verdict
Natural disaster exposure in Latah County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 33th percentile. At the 33th percentile, Latah County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Latah County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 50th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (44th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 92th percentile nationally for wildfire, Latah 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. The county's flood exposure at the 50th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. 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 Latah County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
Latah County is 5.2 composite risk points below the Idaho state mean, meaning most other Idaho counties face higher natural hazard exposure.
Is your household prepared for Latah County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Latah County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Latah County?
How does Latah County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Latah County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Latah County a safe place to live?
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.