Latah County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Latah County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.3, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $13M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Latah County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $12K in expected annual loss and about 0.65 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $13M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Latah County has a very 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: Latah County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 5 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, Latah County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.65 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 3.35 / yr | $492K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $8M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $237K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $116K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.24 / yr | $207K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $14K |
| Drought | Very Low | 14.34 / yr | $1K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 27.55 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $71K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 16.22 / yr | $24K |
| 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
Latah County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (5), 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 |
| July 2024 | Fire | Gwen Fire |
| July 2024 | Fire | Texas Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2019 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| May 2017 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| January 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and Landslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Latah County?
Latah County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Latah County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Latah County compare to other Idaho counties?
Latah County ranks #25 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Latah County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Latah County since 1964, most often 5 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. Latah County's $13M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.