Owyhee County
Idaho — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 44th
Owyhee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 44.1, 44th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $3M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.57 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.24 / yr | $83K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.89 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.88 / yr | $208K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $10K |
| Drought | Very Low | 94.18 / yr | $2K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 22.57 / yr | $37K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $31K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $49K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $44K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $17K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Owyhee County?
Owyhee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 44.1 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 44th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Owyhee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $3M EAL), Avalanche (Low, $4K EAL), Landslide (Low, $4K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Owyhee County compare to other Idaho counties?
Owyhee County ranks #18 of 44 Idaho counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Owyhee County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.