Butte County
Idaho — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Butte County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.4, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and volcanic activity exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $457K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $60K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $2K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $207K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.07 / yr | $610K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.70 / yr | $32K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.06 / yr | $110K |
| Drought | Very Low | 93.39 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.76 / yr | $51K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 27.23 / yr | $15K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $7K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $4K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Butte County?
Butte County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Butte County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Medium, $457K EAL), Volcanic Activity (Very Low, $21 EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $60K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Butte County compare to other Idaho counties?
Butte County ranks #41 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Butte County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.