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

Teton County Disaster Risk

Teton County, Wyoming

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

71th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 23 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

35th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Teton County, Wyoming

Teton's natural hazard exposure exceeds average

Teton County scores 70.64 on the composite risk index, earning a Relatively Low rating but placing it significantly above the national average. This elevated score reflects Teton's mountainous terrain and proximity to major geological and wildfire hazard zones. Despite the "Relatively Low" designation, Teton residents face above-average exposure compared to most U.S. counties.

Among Wyoming's highest-risk counties

Teton's composite score of 70.64 ranks it as one of Wyoming's most hazard-exposed counties, nearly double the state average of 37.86. Only Sheridan County (65.20) approaches Teton's risk level among Wyoming's counties. Teton's position reflects its location at the intersection of seismic and wildfire hazard zones in northwestern Wyoming.

Teton faces steeper risks than nearby counties

Teton (70.64) carries substantially higher risk than neighboring Sublette County (21.63) and Washakie County (24.36), reflecting its higher elevation and more active geological setting. Only Sheridan County (65.20) presents a comparable risk profile in the region. Teton's mountainous terrain and wildland-urban interface create distinctly elevated hazard exposure.

Earthquakes and wildfires lead Teton's hazards

Teton County's earthquake risk reaches 87.12, the highest hazard score and reflecting the county's location in an active seismic region near major fault systems. Wildfire risk scores 90.65, capturing the region's extensive forest and grassland fire exposure. Flood risk (34.73) and tornado risk (19.40) present much lower concerns.

Earthquake and wildfire coverage essential

Teton residents must obtain earthquake insurance separately from their homeowners policy, given the county's exceptional 87.12 earthquake risk score. Wildfire coverage is equally critical—ensure your policy explicitly covers wildfire damage and consider higher deductibles to enable broader coverage. Professional seismic and wildfire risk assessments can identify specific vulnerabilities in your home's construction and location.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Teton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    87th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Teton County

Risk Verdict

Teton County's FEMA risk score places it at the 71th 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 Teton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (35th percentile), tornado (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Teton County sits at the 91th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Teton 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 87th percentile nationally means Teton County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Teton 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 32.8 composite points below Teton County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Teton 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 Teton County, WY?
Teton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 71th 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 Teton County?
Teton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (87th percentile), flooding (35th percentile), tornado (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Teton County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Teton County's composite risk percentile is 71th, compared to the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Teton County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Wyoming.
Is Teton County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Teton County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Teton County is at the 35th 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 Teton County higher risk than average?
Teton County's composite risk score of 71th percentile is above the Wyoming state average of 38th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (91th percentile), along with earthquake 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.