Bingham County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Bingham County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.1, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bingham County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 60th 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $604K in expected annual loss and about 16.48 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.74 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $23M in expected annual loss for a population of 48K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bingham County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Bingham County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Bingham County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 16.48 / yr | $604K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.02 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.74 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $653K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 28.27 / yr | $633K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.68 / yr | $6K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $78 |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.50 / yr | $9M |
| Hail | Low | 0.43 / yr | $227K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.93 / yr | $322K |
| Drought | Very Low | 55.37 / yr | $18K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $41 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $13K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $50K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bingham County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding |
| June 1976 | Flood | Dam Collapse, Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bingham County?
Bingham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bingham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $604K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $4M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bingham County compare to other Idaho counties?
Bingham County ranks #10 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bingham County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Bingham County since 1976, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for flood 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. Bingham County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.