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

Park County Disaster Risk

Park County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

58th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

61th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 61% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 26% 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 Park County, Wyoming

Park County above national disaster risk

Park County's composite risk score of 57.73 exceeds the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating but indicating elevated hazard exposure. The county faces roughly 70% more disaster risk than the safest U.S. counties.

Mid-to-high risk for Wyoming

Park County ranks third in Wyoming's composite risk with a score of 57.73, significantly above the state average of 37.86. The county's elevation reflects dangerous earthquake (78.18) and wildfire (82.73) exposure.

Riskier than Hot Springs and Johnson

Park County's 57.73 score exceeds nearby Hot Springs (16.09) and Johnson (19.31) counties but remains safer than Natrona (68.86) and Laramie (76.69). Its earthquake exposure (78.18) is notably higher than most neighboring counties.

Earthquakes and wildfires drive risk

Earthquake risk reaches 78.18 in Park County, reflecting the county's location in seismically active northwest Wyoming, while wildfire exposure climbs to 82.73. Flood risk (60.78) also warrants attention, particularly in drainage areas near rivers and streams.

Earthquake and wildfire insurance essential

Park County residents should immediately secure earthquake insurance—standard policies exclude seismic damage, and the county's 78.18 score demands protection. Add wildfire and flood coverage to create a comprehensive safety net against the county's overlapping hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Park County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    83th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    78th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    61th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Park County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 58th, Park County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Park County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (61th percentile), tornado (26th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 83th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Park 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. 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. 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 Park County residents.

Regional Context

At 19.9 points above the Wyoming state average, Park County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Wyoming county.

Is your household prepared for Park 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 Park County, WY?
Park County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 58th 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 Park County?
Park County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (83th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), flooding (61th percentile), tornado (26th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 83th 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 Park County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Park County's composite risk percentile is 58th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Park County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Park County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Park County's wildfire risk is at the 83th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Park County is at the 61th 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 Park County higher risk than average?
Park County's composite risk score of 58th percentile is above the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (83th 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.