riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Yavapai County Disaster Risk

Yavapai County, Arizona

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 15 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% 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 33% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 0% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Yavapai County, Arizona

Yavapai's risk elevated nationwide

Yavapai County scores 93.73 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively moderate category while exceeding national averages. The score reflects substantial wildfire exposure combined with notable flood and earthquake hazards.

Fourth-riskiest county in Arizona

Yavapai ranks fourth among Arizona's 15 counties with a 93.73 score, trailing only Pima (99.11), Pinal (93.83), and Mohave (94.75). The county's score exceeds the state average of 84.45 by 9.3 points.

Peers with Pinal and Mohave

Yavapai's 93.73 ranks close to Pinal (93.83) and below Mohave (94.75), while exceeding Santa Cruz (88.33) and Navajo (88.07). The county sits firmly in Arizona's higher-risk tier.

Wildfire and earthquake drive risk

Wildfire risk peaks at 99.59, among Arizona's highest, while earthquake risk at 85.31 adds substantial exposure. Flood risk reaches 96.06, and tornado risk at 32.70 creates additional multi-hazard complexity in the county.

Wildfire and quake coverage essential

Yavapai residents face significant wildfire (99.59) and earthquake (85.31) exposure requiring specialized coverage beyond standard policies. Secure separate wildfire and earthquake policies immediately, and ensure your homeowners coverage addresses flood and tornado risks.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yavapai County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    96th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    85th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Yavapai County

Risk Verdict

Yavapai County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Yavapai County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), hurricane (0th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Yavapai County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 100th percentile nationally. Yavapai County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary flood exposure at the 96th percentile nationally means Yavapai County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Yavapai County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Yavapai County's composite risk score sits 9.3 points above the Arizona county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Yavapai County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Yavapai County, AZ?
Yavapai County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 94th 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 Yavapai County?
Yavapai County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (100th percentile), flooding (96th percentile), earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (33th percentile), hurricane (0th 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 Yavapai County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Yavapai County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the Arizona state average of 85th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Yavapai County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Arizona.
Is Yavapai County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Yavapai County's wildfire risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Yavapai County is at the 96th 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 Yavapai County higher risk than average?
Yavapai County's composite risk score of 94th 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

Pinal County

Arizona

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Coconino County

Arizona

+0.5

Relatively Moderate

94th percentile

Cochise County

Arizona

-0.9

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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