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

Sublette County Disaster Risk

Sublette County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

21th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% 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 6% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sublette County, Wyoming

Sublette ranks among the nation's safest

Sublette County's composite risk score of 21.63 places it in the Very Low category, well below both the state average of 37.86 and typical national risk profiles. Despite Wyoming's varied hazard exposure, Sublette stands out as a county with relatively modest natural disaster vulnerability. This favorable rating reflects manageable risk across most hazard categories.

Wyoming's lowest-risk county profile

Sublette County ranks among Wyoming's safest with a composite score of 21.63, roughly 56% lower than the state average of 37.86. The county's low overall risk is driven by minimal tornado and flood exposure, which significantly reduce its composite vulnerability. Only a handful of Wyoming counties match Sublette's favorable risk position.

Sublette benefits from protective geography

Sublette's composite score of 21.63 positions it favorably against nearby Sweetwater County (30.63) and Uinta County (16.70), with only Uinta showing slightly lower overall risk. The county avoids the elevated wildfire pressures affecting neighboring Teton and Sheridan counties. Sublette's geographic isolation and terrain help explain its consistently low hazard exposure.

Wildfire and earthquakes pose modest threats

Sublette's wildfire risk scores 87.72, which is notably elevated despite the county's low composite score—suggesting wildfire is the primary hazard of concern here. Earthquake risk reaches 76.21, a moderate exposure typical for western Wyoming. Tornado and flood risks remain minimal at 5.79 and 21.41 respectively.

Standard coverage sufficient for most residents

Sublette's very low overall risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate baseline protection for most residents, though wildfire coverage gaps should be addressed. Given the 87.72 wildfire risk score, ensure your policy explicitly includes wildfire damage or add supplemental coverage. Annual maintenance to reduce brush and dead wood on your property remains a practical, cost-effective safeguard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sublette County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    76th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    21th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Sublette County

Risk Verdict

Sublette County's natural disaster risk is among the lowest in the country, with a composite score at the 22th percentile nationally. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Sublette County's favorable 22th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sublette County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (21th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Sublette County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 88th percentile nationally. Sublette County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's earthquake exposure at the 76th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Sublette County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

The Wyoming county average exceeds Sublette County's score by 16.2 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Sublette 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 Sublette County, WY?
Sublette County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Sublette County?
Sublette County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), earthquake (76th percentile), flooding (21th percentile), tornado (6th 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 Sublette County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Sublette County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sublette County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Sublette County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sublette County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sublette County is at the 21th 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 Sublette County a safe place to live?
Sublette County's composite risk score of 22th 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.