Albany County Disaster Risk
Albany County, Wyoming
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
48th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#9
of 23 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
44th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 44% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 62% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Albany County, Wyoming
Albany's risk scores above the national baseline
Albany County has a composite risk score of 48.47, placing it in the relatively low category but well above Wyoming's state average of 37.86. The county faces meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly wildfire and seismic activity, that merit serious planning.
Mid-range vulnerability within Wyoming
Among Wyoming's 23 counties, Albany ranks in the middle tier for overall disaster risk. The county's composite score of 48.47 reflects elevated wildfire exposure (84.67) and moderate earthquake risk (61.55) compared to most of its peers.
Riskier than Big Horn, less exposed than Campbell
Albany faces notably higher overall risk than neighboring Big Horn County (31.14) but less severe exposure than Campbell County to the north (56.14). Wildfire risk particularly stands out as Albany's chief hazard—more dangerous here than in adjacent counties.
Wildfires and earthquakes dominate Albany's threats
Wildfire risk scores 84.67 in Albany—among the state's highest—reflecting the county's forest and grassland exposure. Earthquake risk (61.55) and flood risk (44.08) round out the county's hazard profile, each requiring distinct preparation strategies.
Wildfire and earthquake insurance deserve priority
Homeowners in Albany should ensure they have comprehensive wildfire coverage, including defensible space maintenance and ember-resistant upgrades. Earthquake insurance, though often overlooked, protects against significant seismic damage—and Albany's 61.55 earthquake score makes it a prudent addition to your policy.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Albany County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Albany County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 48th, Albany County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Albany County residents can take confidence from a 48th 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 Albany County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (44th percentile), tornado (37th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 85th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Albany County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 62th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Albany County residents.
Regional Context
At 10.6 points above the Wyoming state average, Albany County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Wyoming county.
Is your household prepared for Albany County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Albany County, WY?
What types of natural hazards affect Albany County?
How does Albany County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Is Albany County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Albany 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.