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

Teton County Disaster Risk

Teton County, Idaho

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

29th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 44 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

28th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Teton County, Idaho

Teton County faces very low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 29.45, Teton County ranks in the lowest tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. This score falls well below the national average, positioning residents in one of America's safer regions for combined hazard risk.

Safest county in Idaho overall

Teton County's composite risk of 29.45 ranks it as the lowest-risk county in Idaho, significantly below the state average of 38.51. Among all 44 Idaho counties, Teton stands out as the most resilient to multi-hazard disaster risk.

Much safer than nearby counties

Teton County's 29.45 score compares favorably to neighboring Valley County (55.63) and Twin Falls County (46.95), making it notably less exposed to combined natural disasters. Washington County, its closest competitor, still scores higher at 30.31.

Earthquakes and wildfires pose most concern

Teton County faces meaningful earthquake risk (78.34) despite its overall low rating, reflecting its proximity to seismic zones. Wildfire risk (90.87) also demands attention, though flood and tornado risks remain minimal at 27.96 and 10.56 respectively.

Prioritize earthquake and wildfire coverage

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake and wildfire damage, making separate coverage critical for Teton County residents. Given your county's elevated seismic activity and wildfire exposure, adding these protections is a practical investment in home security.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Teton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    28th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Teton County

Risk Verdict

At the 29th percentile nationally, Teton County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Teton County residents can take confidence from a 29th 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 Teton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (28th percentile), tornado (11th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Teton County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Teton County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's earthquake exposure at the 78th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Teton County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 9.1 points below the Idaho state average puts Teton County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Teton 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 Teton County, ID?
Teton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 29th 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 Teton County?
Teton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), flooding (28th percentile), tornado (11th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Teton County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Teton County's composite risk percentile is 29th, compared to the Idaho state average of 39th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Teton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Idaho.
Is Teton County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Teton County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Teton County is at the 28th 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 Teton County a safe place to live?
Teton County's composite risk score of 29th 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 91th 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.