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

Natrona County Disaster Risk

Natrona County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

69th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#3

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

75th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Natrona County, Wyoming

Natrona elevated above national average

Natrona County's composite risk score of 68.86 places it significantly above the national average, though it retains a Relatively Low rating. The county faces roughly 80% more disaster risk than the safest U.S. counties.

Wyoming's second-riskiest county

Natrona County ranks second only to Laramie County in Wyoming's composite risk, scoring 68.86 against the state average of 37.86. The county's elevated risk reflects high exposure across multiple hazard types, particularly wildfires and earthquakes.

Significantly riskier than most neighbors

Natrona County's 68.86 score exceeds Park County (57.73) to the west and dwarfs Hot Springs (16.09) and Johnson (19.31) counties. Only Laramie County (76.69) faces greater overall disaster risk in the region.

Wildfires, floods, and earthquakes converge

Wildfire risk peaks at 93.03 in Natrona County—second-highest in Wyoming—while earthquake exposure reaches 82.82 and flood risk climbs to 74.71. This convergence of multiple hazards creates complex risk exposure requiring multifaceted preparation.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage critical

Natrona County residents face overlapping wildfire, flood, and earthquake risks that demand comprehensive insurance strategy—no single policy covers all three. Secure wildfire, flood, and earthquake insurance separately, and ensure your home's landscaping and structure meet wildfire defense standards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Natrona County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    75th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Natrona County

Risk Verdict

Natrona County's FEMA risk score places it at the 69th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Natrona County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (75th percentile), tornado (37th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Natrona County sits at the 93th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Natrona County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 83th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Natrona County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

The Wyoming county average is 31.0 composite points below Natrona County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Natrona 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 Natrona County, WY?
Natrona County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 69th 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 Natrona County?
Natrona County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (93th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (75th percentile), tornado (37th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 93th 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 Natrona County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Natrona County's composite risk percentile is 69th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Natrona County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Natrona County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Natrona County's wildfire risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Natrona County is at the 75th 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.
Why is Natrona County higher risk than average?
Natrona County's composite risk score of 69th percentile is above the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (93th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.