Converse County, Wyoming Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 31th
Converse County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 31.4, 31th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Converse County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 31.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 31st 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; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $248K in expected annual loss and about 19.12 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Converse 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.
History supports the rating: Converse County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1978, including 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 23 Wyoming counties, Converse County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 19.12 / yr | $248K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.35 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 2.94 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $347K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.18 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 1.36 / yr | $168K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.25 / yr | $137K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.69 / yr | $326K |
| Drought | Very Low | 103.85 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $12K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $33K |
| 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
Converse County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1978, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (2), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2012 | Fire | Arapahoe Fire |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wy-Hensel Fire-06/07/02 |
| May 1978 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding & Mudslides |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Converse County?
Converse County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 31th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Converse County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $248K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Converse County compare to other Wyoming counties?
Converse County ranks #11 of 23 Wyoming counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Converse County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Converse County since 1978, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for fire 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. Converse County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.