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Adams County, Idaho

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Very Low overall risk
22nd of 44highest risk in Idaho
$10Mexpected losses a year
7federal declarations
1 in 333homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Adams County, Idaho has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 60% of US counties. It ranks 22nd of 44 counties in Idaho. The costliest hazards here are wildfires, inland flooding and avalanches. FEMA estimates about $10 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $2,322 per resident. Since 1974 it has been included in 7 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (4 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2022 (Four Corners Fire). Only 10 homes here carry federal flood insurance.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Adams County

Wildfire

Moderate
$5.4 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 65 years.
  • Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
  • Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
$3.5 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 4 years.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$913,334 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 15 years.
  • Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
  • Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
WildfireModerate96.7
$5M
Inland floodingLow35.9
$3M
AvalancheHigh86.0
$913K
EarthquakeVery Low37.4
$106K
LandslideModerate91.6
$58K
Heat waveVery Low18.3
$43K
Winter weatherLow41.0
$39K
LightningVery Low9.5
$26K
Cold waveVery Low5.4
$18K
Strong windVery Low2.8
$11K
HailVery Low3.9
$7K
TornadoVery Low2.9
$5K
Ice stormVery Low2.7
$860
DroughtVery Low13.2
$50
Volcanic activityVery Low16.9
$0

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is very low in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Adams County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Flood2
Severe Storm2
Drought1
Hurricane1
Fire1

Most recent

Aug 19, 2022Four Corners FireFire management
Jun 12, 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and MudslidesMajor disaster
Jul 27, 2010Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 13, 2005Hurricane KatrinaEmergency
Jan 4, 1997Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud and LandslidesMajor disaster
May 5, 1977DroughtEmergency
Jan 25, 1974Severe Storms, Snowmelt & FloodingMajor disaster

Idaho also had 16 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1958

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 36 storm reports in Adams County since 1958, with 0 deaths and 2 injuries and about $580,500 in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F2 tornado on June 4, 2006 near Bear.

3tornadoes
7hail reports, largest 1.75 inches
13damaging thunderstorm winds
5floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jun 4, 2006F2Bear1 / 0
Jun 27, 1958F1–0 / 0
Jul 22, 1992F0–0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Apr 7, 2019FloodStarkey$403K
Jun 4, 2006TornadoBear$100K
Jun 28, 2010Thunderstorm WindCouncil$50K
Jun 27, 1958Tornado–$25K
Jul 22, 1992Tornado–$3K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through May 28, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Flood insurance in Adams County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.3%of homes have federal flood insurance (10 policies)
0%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$9,388paid on 4 flood claims since 1978
2014costliest year, with $5,888 paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Adams County

$376,500median home value (Idaho $418,600, US $332,700)
1986median year homes were built (Idaho 1991, US 1980)
42%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
5%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 2,674 housing units.

Compare in Idaho

All 44 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Ada CountyModerateInland flooding
Canyon CountyLowInland flooding
Kootenai CountyLowInland flooding
Bonneville CountyModerateInland flooding
Twin Falls CountyLowInland flooding
Bannock CountyLowWildfire
Madison CountyLowInland flooding
Bingham CountyLowInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Gem CountyVery Low5
Baker County, ORLow10
Idaho CountyLow16
Valley CountyLow10
Washington CountyVery Low8
Wallowa County, ORVery Low9

Common questions about Adams County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Adams County?

Wildfire has the highest expected yearly losses in Adams County, about $5.4 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $3.5 million.

How many federal disasters has Adams County had?

Adams County has been included in 7 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1974, including 4 major disasters. The most recent was Four Corners Fire in August 2022.

Is Adams County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Very Low, 22nd highest of 44 in Idaho. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Adams County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 333 homes in Adams County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Adams County had?

NOAA records list 3 tornadoes in Adams County since 1950. The strongest was an F2 tornado on June 4, 2006 near Bear. The weather service has also logged 7 hail reports and 5 floods here.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.