Minidoka County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Minidoka County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.5, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Minidoka County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 20.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 20th 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.
Risk here concentrates in winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $241K in expected annual loss and about 11.32 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.95 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Minidoka County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Minidoka County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Minidoka County ranks #32 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Medium | 11.32 / yr | $241K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.95 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20 |
| Lightning | Low | 21.64 / yr | $256K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.73 / yr | $808K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Very Low | 58.01 / yr | $15K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.68 / yr | $159K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $27 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $50K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Minidoka County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Hurricane (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| April 2017 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| December 1964 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Minidoka County?
Minidoka County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Minidoka County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Medium, $241K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Minidoka County compare to other Idaho counties?
Minidoka County ranks #32 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Minidoka County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Minidoka County since 1964, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Minidoka County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.