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

Johnson County Disaster Risk

Johnson County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

19th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

37th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% 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 Johnson County, Wyoming

Johnson County well below national risk

Johnson County scores 19.31 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it substantially safer than the U.S. average. The county experiences roughly 50% less overall disaster risk than typical American counties.

Second-safest in Wyoming

Johnson County ranks among Wyoming's least risky counties with a score of 19.31, trailing only a handful of peers compared to the state average of 37.86. Its Very Low rating reflects below-average exposure to the state's most common hazards.

Comparable to Hot Springs, safer than Laramie

Johnson County's 19.31 score is nearly identical to Hot Springs County (16.09) but dramatically lower than Laramie County (76.69) to the south. The county's primary vulnerability—wildfire at 87.85—is notably high but still reflects regional exposure rather than unusual local danger.

Wildfire dominates risk profile

Wildfire risk reaches 87.85 in Johnson County, far exceeding other hazards and reflecting its location in Wyoming's forested north. Earthquakes (57.70) and floods (36.90) pose secondary risks, but tornado exposure remains minimal at 15.62.

Wildfire insurance is essential here

Johnson County residents face significant wildfire exposure, making specialized wildfire coverage critical—standard homeowners policies often exclude or cap wildfire damage. Bundle wildfire, earthquake, and flood coverage to ensure comprehensive protection for your home and property.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Johnson County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    58th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    37th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Johnson County

Risk Verdict

Johnson County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 19th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Johnson County's 19th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Johnson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 58th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (37th percentile), tornado (16th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Johnson County's primary hazard at the 88th percentile nationally. For Johnson 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. Johnson 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 Wyoming county average, Johnson County's composite score runs 18.6 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Johnson 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 Johnson County, WY?
Johnson County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 19th 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 Johnson County?
Johnson County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (58th percentile), flooding (37th percentile), tornado (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Johnson County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Johnson County's composite risk percentile is 19th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Johnson County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Johnson County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Johnson County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Johnson County is at the 37th 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 Johnson County a safe place to live?
Johnson County's composite risk score of 19th percentile is below the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 88th 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.