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

Oneida County Disaster Risk

Oneida County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

1th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#43

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% 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 40% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Oneida County, Idaho

Oneida County is Idaho's safest region

Oneida County's composite risk score of just 1.40 makes it one of the nation's lowest-risk counties, with a "Very Low" overall rating that reflects minimal natural disaster exposure. This exceptional safety profile places Oneida among America's most disaster-resistant communities.

Dramatically safer than Idaho average

Oneida County's score of 1.40 is remarkable when compared to Idaho's state average of 38.51, ranking it as the state's safest county by a wide margin. This extraordinary advantage reflects the county's geographic isolation and favorable exposure profile across nearly all hazard categories.

Oneida stands alone as regional safe haven

At 1.40, Oneida County's risk score is dramatically lower than all neighboring counties, including Minidoka County (20.48) and Owyhee County (44.12). This exceptional safety makes Oneida one of the nation's most secure places for residents concerned about natural disaster exposure.

Minimal hazards across the county

Oneida County faces a wildfire risk of 81.20, which represents the main natural disaster concern despite being moderate nationally. All other hazard categories—flood, tornado, and earthquake—score exceptionally low, with tornado risk at just 2.58 and flood risk at 4.87.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Given Oneida County's exceptionally low overall risk profile, a standard homeowners insurance policy provides adequate protection for most residents and covers fire, theft, and weather damage. Even with wildfire risk at 81.20, the county's isolation and low population density reduce property exposure compared to more developed regions, though residents should still maintain cleared defensible space around structures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Oneida County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    81th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    5th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Oneida County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Oneida County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 1th percentile. The 1th percentile national ranking is one lens; Oneida County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Oneida County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (5th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 81th percentile nationally for wildfire, Oneida 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 40th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Oneida County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Oneida County is 37.1 composite risk points below the Idaho state mean, meaning most other Idaho counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Oneida 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 Oneida County, ID?
Oneida County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 1th 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 Oneida County?
Oneida County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (81th percentile), earthquake (40th percentile), flooding (5th percentile), tornado (3th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire 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 Oneida County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Oneida County's composite risk percentile is 1th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Oneida County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Oneida County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Oneida County's wildfire risk is at the 81th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Oneida County is at the 5th 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 Oneida County a safe place to live?
Oneida County's composite risk score of 1th 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 81th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.