Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County
Idaho
Risk Summary for Washington County
Washington County scores 4.9/10 (Moderate risk), near the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Wildfire.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Washington County, Idaho
Washington County, in the United States in Idaho, is characterized by its semi-arid climate — dry summers, cold winters, and significant wildfire risk. The county faces a high fire danger period from July through September, and its FEMA risk assessment establishes the hazard baseline shared by all the towns and cities it contains.
Washington County's overall natural disaster risk is rated 4.9/10 (Moderate) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The threat of wildfire dominates the local risk environment, with hot, dry summers and abundant fuel creating dangerous fire conditions each year. Secondary hazards include avalanche and volcano.
Within Idaho, Washington County's risk is, near the 5.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks near the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Washington County identifies wildfire as the foremost hazard, followed by avalanche and volcano. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
With a moderate risk rating, Washington County residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for wildfire is recommended.
What this means for Washington County: Wildfire preparedness
- Prepare a go-bag and evacuation plan; wildfires can move faster than expected when winds pick up.
- Create defensible space by clearing flammable vegetation within 30–100 feet of structures.
- Use fire-resistant roofing and screen vents to block ember intrusion, the leading cause of home ignition.
Cities in Washington County
ZIP codes in Washington County
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. For informational purposes only.