Avalanche risk by county
Snow sliding down steep mountain slopes. Risk centers on ski and mountain counties in the West and Alaska.
Highest expected losses
| # | County | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teton County, WY | $23M | |
| 2 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK | $15M | |
| 3 | Salt Lake County, UT | $12M | |
| 4 | Park County, MT | $12M | |
| 5 | Pitkin County, CO | $11M | |
| 6 | King County, WA | $11M | |
| 7 | Summit County, CO | $11M | |
| 8 | Summit County, UT | $10M | |
| 9 | Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK | $10M | |
| 10 | Pierce County, WA | $9M | |
| 11 | Flathead County, MT | $9M | |
| 12 | Clear Creek County, CO | $8M | |
| 13 | Lincoln County, WY | $8M | |
| 14 | Gallatin County, MT | $7M | |
| 15 | Gunnison County, CO | $7M |
Big counties lead this list partly because they have more people and buildings at risk.
Highest per resident
| # | County (100,000+ people) | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK | $144 |
| 2 | Flathead County, MT | $82 |
| 3 | Gallatin County, MT | $61 |
| 4 | Bonneville County, ID | $31 |
| 5 | Whatcom County, WA | $31 |
| 6 | Cache County, UT | $27 |
| 7 | Missoula County, MT | $25 |
| 8 | Anchorage Municipality, AK | $23 |
| 9 | Placer County, CA | $17 |
| 10 | Nevada County, CA | $16 |
Expected yearly loss divided by population. A fairer way to compare places of different size.
Lowest risk among large counties
| # | County (250,000+ people) | Rating | Per person a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Joaquin County, CA | under $1 | |
| 2 | Solano County, CA | under $1 | |
| 3 | Kitsap County, WA | under $1 | |
| 4 | Alameda County, CA | under $1 | |
| 5 | Contra Costa County, CA | under $1 | |
| 6 | Merced County, CA | under $1 | |
| 7 | Santa Cruz County, CA | under $1 | |
| 8 | Orange County, CA | under $1 | |
| 9 | Stanislaus County, CA | under $1 | |
| 10 | San Luis Obispo County, CA | under $1 |
How ratings are spread
The lists above show only the top counties, so they are all rated high. Across all 684 rated counties, most are Low or Very Low:
How to prepare
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
- Carry a beacon, probe and shovel in the backcountry.
States where it is most often the top hazard
Common questions
Which US county has the highest avalanche risk?
Teton County, WY has the highest expected yearly avalanche losses in FEMA's National Risk Index, about $23.2 million a year. Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK is second at $15.4 million.
How many counties face avalanche risk?
FEMA rates avalanche in 684 of 3,144 counties in the 50 states and DC. 37 are rated Very High and 61 Relatively High.
Is avalanche covered by home insurance?
Usually yes for damage to the home, but check deductibles. Some states and insurers use separate wind, hail or hurricane deductibles.
Other hazards
Source: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025). Expected annual loss is FEMA's long-run estimate of yearly damage to buildings, people and farm output, in dollars.