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

Power County Disaster Risk

Power County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

17th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#35

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 58% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Power County, Idaho

Power County ranks among nation's safest

Power County's composite risk score of 16.92 falls well below the national average, earning a "Very Low" overall rating that reflects minimal natural disaster exposure. This exceptional safety profile places Power County among America's lowest-risk communities.

Idaho's lowest-risk county region

With a score of 16.92, Power County ranks among Idaho's safest counties, sitting far below the state average of 38.51. This favorable position reflects the county's limited flood exposure and moderate threat levels across most natural hazards.

Power anchors Southeast Idaho safety

Power County's 16.92 score nearly matches nearby Payette County (17.11) and sits well below Minidoka County (20.48), establishing the region as remarkably safe. Madison County's 58.62 and Owyhee County's 44.12 underscore Power's exceptional advantage.

Wildfires pose the main threat

Power County faces a wildfire risk of 88.99, which represents its primary natural disaster concern as surrounding forests provide significant fuel for seasonal fires. Earthquake risk at 58.21 ranks as a secondary consideration, though moderate compared to the most seismically active Idaho regions.

Standard coverage with wildfire focus

Homeowners in Power County should ensure their standard policy covers wildfire damage and maintain defensible space by clearing dead vegetation within 100 feet of structures to reduce fire exposure. A basic homeowners policy typically provides adequate protection given the county's very low overall risk profile, though earthquake insurance can be added for additional peace of mind.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Power County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    8th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Power County

Risk Verdict

Power County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 17th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. At the 17th percentile, Power 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 Power County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (8th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Power County's primary hazard at the 89th percentile nationally. For Power 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 58th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Power 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, Power County's composite score runs 21.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Power 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 Power County, ID?
Power County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 17th 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 Power County?
Power County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (8th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Power County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Power County's composite risk percentile is 17th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Power County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Power County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Power County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Power County is at the 8th 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 Power County a safe place to live?
Power County's composite risk score of 17th 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 89th 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.