Mohave County Disaster Risk
Mohave County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively High
National Percentile
95th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
97th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% 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 3% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 0% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Mohave County, Arizona
Mohave's risk exceeds U.S. average
Mohave County scores 94.75 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively high category and above the national baseline. This elevated score reflects exposure to multiple hazards, particularly wildfire and earthquake threats that dominate the county's profile.
Third-riskiest county in Arizona
At 94.75, Mohave ranks third among Arizona's 15 counties for overall disaster risk, trailing only Pima (99.11) and Pinal (93.83). The county's 94.75 score significantly exceeds Arizona's 84.45 state average by 10.3 points.
Higher risk than northern peers
Mohave's 94.75 score surpasses neighboring Navajo County (88.07) and statewide peers Santa Cruz (88.33) and Yavapai (93.73). Only Pima and Pinal counties carry comparable overall risk levels in Arizona.
Wildfire and earthquake dominate
Wildfire risk reaches 98.82 in Mohave—nearly the highest in the state—with earthquake risk at a substantial 87.05. Flood risk also poses significant concern at 97.07, while tornado risk remains minimal at 3.34.
Ensure wildfire and quake coverage
Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake and may not cover wildfire damage; Mohave residents should verify coverage for both hazards. Consider a separate earthquake policy and review wildfire protections given the county's 98.82 wildfire score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Mohave County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Mohave County
Risk Verdict
Mohave County's composite risk score ranks at the 95th percentile nationally, reflecting genuine multi-hazard exposure for residents. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Mohave County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Mohave County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 97th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (87th percentile), tornado (3th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Mohave County sits at the 99th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Mohave County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 97th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Mohave County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Arizona county average is 10.3 composite points below Mohave County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Mohave County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Mohave County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Mohave County?
How does Mohave County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Mohave County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Mohave 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.