Platte County, Wyoming Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 26th
Platte County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 25.7, 26th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Platte County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 25.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 26th 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 — $661K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 18.23 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Platte County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Platte County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, including 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Pleasant Valley Fire (fire), declared in July 2024.
Among 23 Wyoming counties, Platte County ranks #15 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $661K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 18.23 / yr | $150K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 3.56 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 2.95 / yr | $310K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.03 / yr | $54K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.19 / yr | $137K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.30 / yr | $556 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Drought | Low | 77.36 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.66 / yr | $427K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.56 / yr | $146K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $11K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1 |
| 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
Platte County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most recently Pleasant Valley Fire in July 2024. Most frequent causes: Fire (2), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Fire | Pleasant Valley Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| June 2012 | Fire | Arapahoe Fire |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| July 2010 | Flood | Flooding |
| December 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Platte County?
Platte County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 25.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 26th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Platte County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Low, $661K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $150K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Platte County compare to other Wyoming counties?
Platte County ranks #15 of 23 Wyoming counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Platte County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Platte County since 2000, most often 2 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Pleasant Valley Fire, declared in July 2024.
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. Platte County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.