Natural Hazards

• Flood -Damage from flooding exceeds damage by all other natural hazards in Idaho.

---

• Wildfire - Short-term loss caused by wildland fire can include the destruction of timber, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and watersheds, and increase vulnerability to flooding . Long-term effects include smaller timber harvests, reduced access to affected recreational areas, and destruction of cultural and economic resources and community infrastructure.

---

• Earthquake - More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in Idaho each year. A dozen or more are felt; occasionally, they cause damage.

---

• Landslide - Landslide is the movement of rock, soil and debris down a hillside or slope. Landslides take lives, destroy homes, businesses, and public buildings, interrupt transportation, undermine bridges, derail train cars, cover clam and oyster beds, and damage utilities.

---

• Avalanche - Avalanches have killed more than 190 people in the past century, exceeding deaths from any other natural cause.

---

• Drought - In the past century, Idaho has experienced a number of drought episodes, including several that lasted for more than a single season.

---

• Lightning - Lightning is an atmospheric discharge of electricity, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms

---

• Severe Storm - All areas of Idaho are vulnerable to severe weather. A severe storm is an atmospheric disturbance that results in one or more of the following phenomena: strong winds, large hail, thunderstorm, tornado, rain, snow, or freezing rain.