Valley County Disaster Risk
Valley County, Idaho
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
56th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#12
of 44 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
56th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 56% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Valley County, Idaho
Valley County ranks relatively low nationally
Valley County's composite risk score of 55.63 places it in the relatively low category despite exceeding the national average for many individual hazards. The county remains safer than many U.S. regions, though it carries higher combined risk than several Idaho neighbors.
Highest-risk county profiled here
Valley County scores 55.63 against Idaho's state average of 38.51, making it the riskiest among the four profiled counties. Its elevated composite score reflects particularly acute wildfire exposure within the state.
Most exposed to disasters locally
Valley County (55.63) faces substantially higher combined disaster risk than Teton County (29.45), Washington County (30.31), and Twin Falls County (46.95). The county's risk profile makes it the most hazard-exposed in this regional group.
Wildfire risk is exceptionally high
Valley County experiences the state's most extreme wildfire risk at 97.46, far surpassing all neighboring counties and most U.S. regions. Earthquake exposure (66.16) and flood risk (55.79) add secondary layers of concern, while tornado risk remains negligible at 3.59.
Wildfire insurance is essential here
Valley County residents face exceptional wildfire exposure, making specialized fire and wildfire coverage non-negotiable for homeowners. Pairing wildfire protection with earthquake coverage addresses your county's two dominant natural disaster threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Valley County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Valley County
Risk Verdict
Valley County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 56th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Valley County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Valley County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (56th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 97th percentile nationally for wildfire, Valley 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 66th percentile nationally means Valley County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Valley County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Regional Context
A composite score 17.1 points above the Idaho state average puts Valley County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Valley County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Valley County, ID?
What types of natural hazards affect Valley County?
How does Valley County risk compare to the Idaho average?
Is Valley County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Valley County higher risk than average?
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.