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

Lincoln County Disaster Risk

Lincoln County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

9th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#36

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

14th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% 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 4% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, Idaho

Lincoln County ranks among America's safest

Lincoln County's composite score of 9.06 and "Very Low" rating place it far below the national average for natural disaster risk. The county enjoys exceptional protection across virtually all major hazard types.

Lincoln County is Idaho's absolute safest county

At 9.06, Lincoln County holds the lowest composite risk score in Idaho—dramatically below the state average of 38.51. The county represents the gold standard for natural disaster safety in the state.

Lincoln County far exceeds surrounding areas

Lincoln County's 9.06 dramatically beats Jerome County (21.47) and Lewis County (3.09)—actually, Lewis is slightly safer—but Lincoln still ranks among Idaho's safest. The county sits in the state's very lowest risk tier.

Wildfire is the sole meaningful local hazard

Wildfire risk scores 92.05, while flood (14.41), earthquake (32.16), and tornado (3.91) all remain exceptionally low. The county's entire risk profile centers on fire exposure.

Wildfire insurance covers your only real threat

With wildfire at 92.05 but all other hazards minimal, homeowners should ensure wildfire coverage is in place. This single addition protects against Lincoln County's most serious natural disaster risk.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Lincoln County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    32th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    14th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Lincoln County

Risk Verdict

Lincoln County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 9th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Residents of Lincoln County can use the 9th 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 Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 32th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (14th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Lincoln County's primary hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. For Lincoln County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's earthquake exposure at the 32th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Lincoln County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Idaho county average, Lincoln County's composite score runs 29.4 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, ID?
Lincoln County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 9th 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (14th percentile), tornado (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 92th 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 Lincoln County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Lincoln County's composite risk percentile is 9th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Lincoln County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Lincoln County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Lincoln County's wildfire risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lincoln County is at the 14th 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 Lincoln County a safe place to live?
Lincoln County's composite risk score of 9th 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 92th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Franklin County

Idaho

-1.4

Very Low

8th percentile

Caribou County

Idaho

-1.8

Very Low

7th percentile

Bear Lake County

Idaho

-2.5

Very Low

7th 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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