Gila County Disaster Risk
Gila County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
90th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#9
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
93th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% 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 13% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 8% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Gila County, Arizona
Gila County faces moderate-to-high risks
Gila County scores 90.17 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Moderate" category and above Arizona's state average of 84.45. The central county's hazard profile reflects its mountainous terrain and monsoon exposure.
Above-average risk in Arizona
Gila County ranks higher than the Arizona average, placing it firmly in the state's moderate-risk tier. Its 90.17 composite score reflects significant overlap of wildfire, flood, and earthquake hazards across the county.
Similar risk to nearby counties
Gila County's 90.17 score sits between Coconino County (94.21) to the north and Apache County (78.78) to the northeast. It faces comparable exposure to Cochise County (92.84), making it one of central Arizona's more hazard-prone areas.
Wildfire and flood are primary threats
Gila County faces extreme wildfire risk (99.08) combined with significant flood danger (93.07), driven by forested terrain and monsoon storms. These two hazards account for much of the county's elevated composite score and should dominate preparation efforts.
Get wildfire and flood protection today
Standard homeowners insurance excludes wildfire, making supplemental coverage critical for Gila County properties. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is also essential given the county's 93.07 flood risk score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Gila County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Gila County
Risk Verdict
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gila County at the 90th percentile nationally — above average and worth proactive preparation. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Gila County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (59th percentile), tornado (13th percentile), hurricane (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 99th percentile nationally, Gila County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Gila County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary flood exposure at the 93th percentile nationally means Gila County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Gila County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Gila County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Gila County is 5.7 composite risk points above the Arizona average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Gila County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Gila County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Gila County?
How does Gila County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Gila County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Gila 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.