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 Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pima County, Arizona
Pima leads Arizona's risk profile
Pima County scores 99.11 on composite risk, the highest in Arizona and well above any national baseline. This score reflects exposure across virtually all hazard types, making Pima the state's most comprehensive disaster-risk county.
Arizona's highest-risk county overall
Pima's 99.11 score ranks it first among Arizona's 15 counties and exceeds the state average of 84.45 by 14.7 points. The county faces elevated exposure to nearly every major disaster type tracked.
Significantly higher than state peers
Pima's 99.11 far exceeds neighboring Santa Cruz County (88.33) and surpasses all other Arizona counties including Pinal (93.83) and Mohave (94.75). Pima stands alone as the state's most at-risk county.
Wildfire, flood, and earthquake threats
Wildfire risk peaks at 99.65, flood risk at 99.52, and earthquake risk at 91.73—all among the state's highest. Pima also faces rare Arizona exposure: hurricane risk at 18.69 and tornado risk at 37.50 add multi-hazard complexity.
Comprehensive insurance is essential
Pima residents face multi-hazard exposure requiring layered protection: separate wildfire and flood policies, plus earthquake coverage, are critical. Review all exclusions in your homeowners policy and consider a comprehensive risk assessment given the county's 99.11 composite score.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pima County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pima County
Risk Verdict
At the 99th percentile nationally, Pima County is among the more hazard-exposed counties in the United States. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Pima County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Pima County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 100th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (92th percentile), tornado (38th percentile), hurricane (19th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 100th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Pima 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. A secondary flood exposure at the 100th percentile nationally means Pima County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Pima County residents.
Regional Context
At 14.7 points above the Arizona state average, Pima County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Arizona county.
Is your household prepared for Pima County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pima County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Pima County?
How does Pima County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Pima County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Pima 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.