riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Pima County Disaster Risk

Pima County, Arizona

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#2

of 15 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

100th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Pima County

Risk Verdict

Pima County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is the dominant hazard for Pima County, scoring in the 100th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 100th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (92th), tornado (38th), hurricane (19th).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire risk as the top concern, Pima County residents should create defensible space around your property, sign up for local emergency alerts, and prepare a go-bag with essential documents and medications. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Pima County is significantly riskier than the average county in Arizona. Its composite risk score is 14.7 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Pima County, AZ?
Pima County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Pima County?
Pima County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (100th percentile), flooding (100th percentile), earthquake (92th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 100th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Pima County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Pima County's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Arizona state average of 85th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Pima County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arizona.
Is Pima County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Pima County's wildfire risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pima County is at the 100th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Pima County higher risk than average?
Pima County's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Arizona state average of 85th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (100th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Maricopa County

Arizona

+0.8

Very High

100th percentile

Mohave County

Arizona

-4.4

Relatively High

95th percentile

Coconino County

Arizona

-4.9

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.

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