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

Lewis County Disaster Risk

Lewis County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#42

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

12th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 3% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lewis County, Idaho

Lewis County ranks among the nation's safest

Lewis County's composite score of just 3.09 and "Very Low" rating represent exceptional protection from natural disaster exposure. The county faces minimal risk across nearly all hazard categories compared to national averages.

Lewis County is Idaho's second-safest county

At 3.09, Lewis County trails only Lincoln County (9.06) in statewide safety, sitting dramatically below the state average of 38.51. The county consistently experiences the lowest natural disaster risk in Idaho.

Lewis County leads northern Idaho in safety

Lewis County's 3.09 vastly outpaces neighboring Kootenai County (78.98) and Idaho County (78.37), making it far safer than surrounding areas. The county represents one of Idaho's most protected regions.

Wildfire is the only notable local hazard

Wildfire risk reaches 85.94, but all other hazards—flood (11.99), earthquake (23.44), and tornado (2.80)—remain exceptionally low. The county's overall vulnerability stems almost entirely from fire exposure.

Wildfire coverage protects your primary risk

Even in Idaho's safest county, wildfire at 85.94 warrants confirmed coverage in your homeowners policy. Verify your current insurance includes wildfire protection—it's your main line of defense here.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lewis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    86th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    23th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    12th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lewis County

Risk Verdict

Lewis County's overall natural disaster score at the 3th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Lewis County residents can take confidence from a 3th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Lewis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 23th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (12th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 86th percentile nationally, Lewis County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Lewis County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 23th percentile nationally means Lewis County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Lewis County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Lewis County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Lewis County's composite risk score sits 35.4 points below the Idaho county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Lewis 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 Lewis County, ID?
Lewis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Lewis County?
Lewis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (86th percentile), earthquake (23th percentile), flooding (12th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 86th 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 Lewis County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Lewis County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lewis County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Lewis County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lewis County's wildfire risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lewis County is at the 12th 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 Lewis County a safe place to live?
Lewis County's composite risk score of 3th 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 86th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Butte County

Idaho

+1.3

Very Low

4th percentile

Oneida County

Idaho

-1.7

Very Low

1th percentile

Clark County

Idaho

-2.3

Very Low

1th 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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