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

Platte County Disaster Risk

Platte County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

26th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

33th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% 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 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 41% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Platte County, Wyoming

Platte County below national risk baseline

Platte County scores 25.73 on the composite risk scale, placing it below the national average and earning a Very Low rating. The county experiences roughly 65% less disaster risk than typical U.S. counties.

Among Wyoming's safest counties

Platte County ranks in the lower half of Wyoming's natural disaster risk with a score of 25.73, well below the state average of 37.86. The county benefits from low earthquake (40.59) and flood (33.17) exposure.

Safer than Park, comparable to Hot Springs

Platte County's 25.73 score ranks between Hot Springs (16.09) and Johnson (19.31), making it one of the region's safer areas. It faces substantially lower risk than Park County (57.73), though wildfire exposure (87.60) remains high by county standards.

Wildfire and tornado the primary threats

Wildfire risk reaches 87.60 in Platte County, making it the county's most significant hazard, while tornado exposure climbs to 33.59. Together these fire and storm hazards dominate the county's risk profile, though both remain manageable with proper preparation.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado coverage

Platte County residents should secure wildfire insurance, as standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit fire damage from vegetation fires. Add tornado/hail coverage to protect against the county's secondary risk, and ensure your property meets basic wildfire defense landscaping standards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Platte County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    41th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    34th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Platte County

Risk Verdict

Platte County's overall natural disaster score at the 26th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. The 26th percentile national ranking is one lens; Platte County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Platte County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 41th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (34th percentile), flood (33th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 88th percentile nationally, Platte County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Platte County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 41th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Platte County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Platte County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Platte County's composite risk score sits 12.1 points below the Wyoming county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Platte 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 Platte County, WY?
Platte County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 26th 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 Platte County?
Platte County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (41th percentile), tornado (34th percentile), flooding (33th 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 Platte County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Platte County's composite risk percentile is 26th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Platte County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Platte County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Platte County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Platte County is at the 33th 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 Platte County a safe place to live?
Platte County's composite risk score of 26th 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Washakie County

Wyoming

-1.4

Very Low

24th percentile

Goshen County

Wyoming

+2.7

Very Low

28th percentile

Sublette County

Wyoming

-4.1

Very Low

22th percentile

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.

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