Clearwater County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Clearwater County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.9, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clearwater County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $239K in expected annual loss and about 1.86 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $457K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clearwater County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Clearwater County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Clearwater County ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.86 / yr | $239K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $457K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.29 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 40.16 / yr | $25K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.48 / yr | $80K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Drought | Very Low | 30.47 / yr | $53 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $48K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $3K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $14K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 18.58 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $19K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Clearwater County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Severe Storm (3), Fire (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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| August 2015 | Fire | Municipal Fire |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| September 2000 | Fire | Wildfires |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clearwater County?
Clearwater County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clearwater County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $239K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $457K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clearwater County compare to other Idaho counties?
Clearwater County ranks #16 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clearwater County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Clearwater County since 1964, most often 4 for flood events and 3 for severe storm 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. Clearwater County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.