Shoshone County, Idaho Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · ID
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 63th
Shoshone County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 62.8, 63th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Shoshone County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 63rd 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.
Most of Shoshone County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $580K in expected annual loss and about 2.34 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $20M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Shoshone County has a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Shoshone County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Straight-Line Winds (straight-line winds), declared in April 2026.
Among 44 Idaho counties, Shoshone County ranks #9 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 2.34 / yr | $580K |
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.17 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $15M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $149K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 35.84 / yr | $84K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.17 / yr | $94K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $121K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.90 / yr | $471K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $123K |
| Drought | Very Low | 33.25 / yr | $1 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 17.29 / yr | $16K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $32K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $11K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $4K |
| 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
Shoshone County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Straight-Line Winds in April 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Straight-Line Winds | Straight-Line Winds |
| June 2024 | Flood | Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 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 |
| May 2011 | Flood | Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2008 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina |
| June 1997 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Snowmelt, Land/Mud Slides, Flooding |
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 Shoshone County?
Shoshone County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 62.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 63th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Shoshone County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $580K EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $4M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $15M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Shoshone County compare to other Idaho counties?
Shoshone County ranks #9 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Shoshone County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Shoshone County since 1964, most often 6 for flood events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Straight-Line Winds, declared in April 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. Shoshone County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.