Oneida County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

1.4

National percentile: 1th

Oneida County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.4, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.

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

Risk Overview

Oneida County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 Low risk — $622K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $206K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $55K in expected annual loss and about 16.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.

Beyond physical exposure, Oneida County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Oneida County has received 3 federal disaster declarations since 2005, including 2 for biological events and 1 for hurricane events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.

Among 44 Idaho counties, Oneida County ranks #43 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $2M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 5K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Low $622K/yr
Very Low $206K/yr
Low $55K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Low 0.01 / yr$622K
Earthquake Very Low 0.01 / yr$206K
Winter Weather Low 16.35 / yr$55K
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr$1
Landslide Very Low 0.96 / yr$213
Avalanche Very Low 0.01 / yr$36
Heat Wave Very Low 2.16 / yr$61K
Drought Very Low 80.92 / yr$1K
Lightning Very Low 33.65 / yr$63K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.40 / yr$102K
Strong Wind Very Low 0.69 / yr$57K
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.61 / yr$940K
Hail Very Low 0.37 / yr$7K
Tornado Very Low 0.11 / yr$6K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.01 / yr$1K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Hurricane Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Tsunami Very Low 0.00 / yr$0

Disaster History

Oneida County has received 3 federal disaster declarations since 2005, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Hurricane (1).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
April 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
September 2005HurricaneHurricane Katrina

Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Oneida County?

Oneida County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Oneida County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $622K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $206K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $55K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Oneida County compare to other Idaho counties?

Oneida County ranks #43 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Oneida County had?

FEMA records 3 federal disaster declarations for Oneida County since 2005, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for hurricane 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. Oneida County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.