Graham County Disaster Risk
Graham County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#14
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
68th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 68% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 3% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 48% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Graham County, Arizona
Graham County has low overall risk
Graham County scores 64.60 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the "Relatively Low" category and well below Arizona's state average of 84.45. The southeastern county enjoys one of Arizona's safer natural hazard profiles.
Safer than most Arizona counties
Graham County ranks among Arizona's lower-risk counties, significantly outperforming the state average. Its 64.60 score positions it as one of the safest areas in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Safer than surrounding counties
Graham County's 64.60 score is substantially lower than Cochise County (92.84) to the east and Apache County (78.78) to the north. Its favorable position makes it one of southeastern Arizona's most protected areas.
Wildfire remains the primary concern
Graham County's main hazard is wildfire risk, which scores 94.27 despite the county's overall low composite rating. Flood risk (67.94) is also present but secondary; together these two hazards drive most of the county's natural disaster exposure.
Wildfire insurance is the priority
While Graham County's overall risk is low, wildfire coverage should still be a priority given the 94.27 risk score. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude wildfire, making supplemental or specialized insurance essential for property protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Graham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Graham County
Risk Verdict
At the 65th percentile nationally, Graham County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Graham County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Graham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 68th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (48th percentile), hurricane (14th percentile), tornado (3th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Graham County's primary hazard at the 94th percentile nationally. For Graham County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. The county's flood exposure at the 68th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Graham County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Arizona county average, Graham County's composite score runs 19.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for Graham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Graham County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Graham County?
How does Graham County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Graham County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Graham County a safe place to live?
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.