Benewah County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Benewah County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.9, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Benewah County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 19.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Benewah County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $91K in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $230K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $418 in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Benewah County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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: Benewah County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Benewah County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $91K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $230K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $418 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $5M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.27 / yr | $48K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 30.25 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.83 / yr | $410K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.20 / yr | $100K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Very Low | 15.08 / yr | $300 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $49K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 16.78 / yr | $11K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Benewah County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| March 2021 | Severe Storm | Straight-Line Winds |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| February 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| December 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm and Straight-Line Wind |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| June 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Benewah County?
Benewah County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Benewah County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $91K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $230K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $418 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Benewah County compare to other Idaho counties?
Benewah County ranks #33 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Benewah County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Benewah County since 1964, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in June 2026.
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. Benewah County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.