Clearwater County, Idaho
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Clearwater County, Idaho has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 53% of US counties. It ranks 17th of 44 counties in Idaho. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, wildfires and avalanches. FEMA estimates about $10 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $1,170 per resident. Since 1964 it has been included in 13 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (11 major disasters). The most recent was in June 2026 (severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides). Only 9 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 Clearwater County
- 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.
- Clear dry plants and debris within 5 feet of the house.
- Get home insurance quotes early; availability varies by area.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 55.7 | $5M | ||
| Wildfire | 96.4 | $4M | ||
| Avalanche | 82.9 | $457K | ||
| Landslide | 97.3 | $239K | ||
| Heat wave | 27.5 | $80K | ||
| Cold wave | 9.6 | $48K | ||
| Earthquake | 23.0 | $25K | ||
| Winter weather | 34.0 | $25K | ||
| Strong wind | 4.2 | $19K | ||
| Hail | 6.9 | $14K | ||
| Lightning | 4.6 | $10K | ||
| Tornado | 3.4 | $7K | ||
| Ice storm | 8.3 | $3K | ||
| Drought | 13.3 | $53 |
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 very 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 Clearwater County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Show all 13
Idaho also had 16 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1966
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 94 storm reports in Clearwater County since 1966, with 0 deaths and 1 injury and about $5.8 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an EF0 tornado on June 29, 2007 near Orofino.
Strongest tornadoes
| Date | Strength | Near | Hurt / killed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 29, 2007 | EF0 | Orofino | 0 / 0 |
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2017 | Flood | Ahsahka | $3M |
| Feb 5, 2018 | Heavy Rain | Greer | $2M |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Flood | Ahsahka | $510K |
| Aug 14, 2014 | Hail | Weippe | $279K |
| Aug 14, 2014 | Hail | Weippe | $250K |
| May 7, 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Orofino Arpt | $60K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 23, 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 Clearwater County
Check your address flood zone ›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 Clearwater County
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; 4,626 housing units.
Compare in Idaho
All 44 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Ada County | Inland flooding | |
| Canyon County | Inland flooding | |
| Kootenai County | Inland flooding | |
| Bonneville County | Inland flooding | |
| Twin Falls County | Inland flooding | |
| Bannock County | Wildfire | |
| Madison County | Inland flooding | |
| Bingham County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula County, MT | 19 | |
| Nez Perce County | 13 | |
| Latah County | 14 | |
| Idaho County | 16 | |
| Shoshone County | 14 | |
| Mineral County, MT | 8 | |
| Lewis County | 10 |
Common questions about Clearwater County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Clearwater County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Clearwater County, about $5.4 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Wildfire is second at $3.9 million.
How many federal disasters has Clearwater County had?
Clearwater County has been included in 13 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1964, including 11 major disasters. The most recent was Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in June 2026.
Is Clearwater County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 17th 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 Clearwater County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 500 homes in Clearwater 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 Clearwater County had?
NOAA records list 1 tornadoes in Clearwater County since 1950. The strongest was an EF0 tornado on June 29, 2007 near Orofino. The weather service has also logged 36 hail reports and 7 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.