Bannock County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Bannock County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 66.9, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $31M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bannock County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 66.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 67th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $997K in expected annual loss and about 24.17 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.88 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $31M in expected annual loss for a population of 87K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bannock County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Bannock County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 2 for biological events and 1 for hurricane events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Bannock County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | High | 24.17 / yr | $997K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.88 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Medium | 33.36 / yr | $870K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.07 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $99 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.19 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.86 / yr | $8M |
| Hail | Low | 0.42 / yr | $217K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $64 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Drought | Very Low | 67.55 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $177K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $123K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bannock County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Hurricane (1), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| December 1964 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bannock County?
Bannock County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 66.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bannock County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $9M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $997K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bannock County compare to other Idaho counties?
Bannock County ranks #7 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bannock County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Bannock County since 1964, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for hurricane events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Bannock County's $31M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.