Bonner County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Bonner County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 77.3, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bonner County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 77.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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.
Risk here concentrates in avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $96K in expected annual loss and about 0.76 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $28M in expected annual loss and about 0.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 47K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bonner County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Bonner County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, including 7 for severe storm events and 3 for fire events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Bonner County ranks #5 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 0.23 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.76 / yr | $96K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $28M |
| Winter Weather | High | 27.11 / yr | $290K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $523K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.42 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.11 / yr | $223K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $353K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.79 / yr | $424K |
| Lightning | Low | 19.83 / yr | $198K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.20 / yr | $176K |
| Drought | Very Low | 17.44 / yr | $110 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $65K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $14K |
| 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
Bonner County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1967, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Fire (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| August 2025 | Fire | Sunset Fire |
| 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 |
| July 2015 | Fire | Cape Horn Fire |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bonner County?
Bonner County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 77.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bonner County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $3M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $96K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $28M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bonner County compare to other Idaho counties?
Bonner County ranks #5 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bonner County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Bonner County since 1967, most often 7 for severe storm events and 3 for fire 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. Bonner County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.