Photo: Leaflet · Public domainFEMA puts Hailey’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hailey gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #42 of 59 in Idaho. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then wildfire (21%). Flood insurance has paid 80 claims here since 1995.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Hailey faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Hailey’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hailey, and Hailey’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 21%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #42 of 59 in Idaho; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hailey’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Idaho town has higher expected damage than 52% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hailey has more expected damage per building than 71% of Idaho towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.9M a year in losses across Hailey: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hailey flood? Sometimes: 80 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hailey, from FEMA’s records: 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hailey isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blaine County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hailey
Disasters that paid out in Hailey itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hailey), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$120K to the City of Hailey for repairs43 flood claims paid that year
Blaine County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Blaine County, 2007–2022.
Old photos of Hailey after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hailey archive →Get ready for what Hailey faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hailey
Is Hailey at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hailey has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #42 of 59 in Idaho. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and wildfire (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hailey flood?
Flood insurance has paid 80 claims in Hailey since 1995, $1.5M in all, or 19.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Hailey in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Blaine County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hailey?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hailey’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hailey?
By FEMA money that reached Hailey, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2017): $120K to the City of Hailey for repairs.
Is Hailey at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Hailey’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hailey.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hailey’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.