Coconino County Disaster Risk
Coconino County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
94th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#4
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
96th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 99% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 24% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Coconino County, Arizona
Coconino County faces elevated risks
Coconino County scores 94.21 on the composite risk scale, ranking in the "Relatively Moderate" category and above Arizona's state average of 84.45. The high-elevation county contends with some of the state's most severe wildfire and flood exposures.
Among Arizona's highest-risk counties
Coconino County ranks among the top-risk counties statewide, with a composite score that exceeds 94 out of 100. Only a handful of Arizona counties, including Maricopa, face equal or greater combined hazard exposure.
Riskier than Apache to the south
Coconino County's 94.21 score significantly exceeds Apache County (78.78) to the south and edges out Gila County (90.17) to the southeast. Its position in Arizona's high-risk tier reflects the concentration of wildfire, flood, and earthquake hazards in the region.
Wildfire and flood are severe threats
Coconino County experiences near-maximum wildfire risk (99.40) paired with extreme flood risk (96.47), driven by heavy monsoon rains and forest density. Earthquake risk also scores high at 90.36, creating compound vulnerability affecting infrastructure and safety planning.
Prioritize wildfire and flood coverage now
Wildfire and flood insurance are non-negotiable in Coconino County, given both hazards score above 96. Homeowners should also evaluate earthquake insurance, especially for structures not designed to modern seismic standards.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Coconino County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Coconino County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 94th percentile, Coconino County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Coconino County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Coconino County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (90th percentile), tornado (24th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 99th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Coconino County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 96th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Coconino County residents.
Regional Context
At 9.8 points above the Arizona state average, Coconino County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Arizona county.
Is your household prepared for Coconino County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Coconino County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Coconino County?
How does Coconino County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Coconino County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Coconino County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.