Kootenai County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Kootenai County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 79.0, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kootenai County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 79.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th 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 — $171K in expected annual loss and about 0.52 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $571K in expected annual loss and about 26.82 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 171K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kootenai County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: Kootenai County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in June 2026.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Kootenai County ranks #3 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.52 / yr | $171K |
| Winter Weather | High | 26.82 / yr | $571K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.16 / yr | $7M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.21 / yr | $32M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.25 / yr | $634K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.31 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $438K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $838 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.24 / yr | $449K |
| Lightning | Low | 17.94 / yr | $97K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $318K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $68K |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.92 / yr | $281 |
| 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
Kootenai County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Flood (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| 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 |
| July 2008 | Flood | Flooding |
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 Kootenai County?
Kootenai County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 79.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kootenai County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $171K EAL), Winter Weather (High, $571K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $7M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kootenai County compare to other Idaho counties?
Kootenai County ranks #3 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kootenai County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Kootenai County since 1964, most often 7 for severe storm events and 4 for flood 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. Kootenai County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.