Yuma County Disaster Risk
Yuma County, Arizona
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
93th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#8
of 15 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
91th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 14% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Very Low
Higher than 23% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Yuma County, Arizona
Yuma's risk moderately elevated
Yuma County scores 92.56 on composite risk, landing in the relatively moderate category but above national baselines. The score reflects substantial earthquake exposure paired with meaningful flood and hurricane threats unusual for Arizona.
Mid-to-upper range in Arizona
Yuma ranks seventh among Arizona's 15 counties with a 92.56 score, exceeding the state average of 84.45 by 8.1 points. The county faces meaningful disaster risk, though lower than Arizona's top-tier counties.
Distinctive risk profile in southwest
Yuma's 92.56 exceeds Santa Cruz (88.33) and Navajo (88.07) but falls below the higher-risk counties of Pinal, Mohave, and Yavapai. The county's unique earthquake (98.44) and hurricane (22.74) exposure sets it apart from state peers.
Earthquake and flood are paramount
Yuma faces exceptional earthquake risk at 98.44—the highest in Arizona—combined with flood risk at 90.97. The county also experiences the state's highest hurricane risk at 22.74, a rare Arizona hazard requiring attention.
Earthquake and flood insurance urgent
Yuma's 98.44 earthquake score demands immediate earthquake coverage; standard policies exclude this hazard entirely. Add flood insurance and verify your homeowners policy covers hurricane and wind damage, given Yuma's unique southwestern exposure profile.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Yuma County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Yuma County
Risk Verdict
Yuma County's overall risk score at the 93th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Yuma County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (59th percentile), hurricane (23th percentile), tornado (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Yuma County ranks at the 98th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's flood risk at the 91th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Yuma County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
Compared to other Arizona counties, Yuma County runs 8.1 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Yuma County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Yuma County, AZ?
What types of natural hazards affect Yuma County?
How does Yuma County risk compare to the Arizona average?
Is Yuma County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Yuma 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.