Gem County

Idaho — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

34.4

National percentile: 34th

Gem County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.4, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $11M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 19K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Medium $6M/yr
Winter Weather
Low $74K/yr
Earthquake
Very Low $295K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Medium 0.02 / yr $6M
Winter Weather Low 11.81 / yr $74K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $295K
Avalanche Very Low 0.03 / yr $540
Landslide Very Low 0.46 / yr $1K
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $9
Heat Wave Low 3.46 / yr $284K
Riverine Flood Low 0.36 / yr $4M
Strong Wind Low 0.32 / yr $233K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.04 / yr $22K
Lightning Very Low 20.85 / yr $69K
Drought Very Low 12.54 / yr $77
Cold Wave Very Low 0.05 / yr $34K
Tornado Very Low 0.03 / yr $26K
Hail Very Low 0.23 / yr $12K
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 Gem County?

Gem County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Gem County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $74K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $295K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Gem County compare to other Idaho counties?

Gem County ranks #24 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. Gem County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.