Nez Perce County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Nez Perce County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.0, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Nez Perce County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.0 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.
Risk here concentrates in 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; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $4K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 0.54 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 42K.
Beyond physical exposure, Nez Perce 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Nez Perce County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 4 for fire 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, Nez Perce County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.54 / yr | $12M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.52 / yr | $697K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $196K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.23 / yr | $299K |
| Drought | Very Low | 18.02 / yr | $1K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 16.92 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $35K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $84K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $56K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 12.51 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Nez Perce 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: Fire (4), Severe Storm (3), Flood (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 |
| August 2021 | Fire | Bedrock Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| July 2005 | Flood | Heavy Rains and Flooding |
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 Nez Perce County?
Nez Perce County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.0 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 Nez Perce County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $4K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $12M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Nez Perce County compare to other Idaho counties?
Nez Perce County ranks #26 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Nez Perce County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Nez Perce County since 1964, most often 4 for fire 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. Nez Perce County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.