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

Beaver County Disaster Risk

Beaver County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

8th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Beaver County, Utah

Beaver County's disaster risk is exceptionally low

With a composite risk score of 10.37, Beaver County sits well below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' rating. This means your county faces significantly fewer natural hazard exposures than most American communities.

Among Utah's safest counties for disasters

Beaver County ranks among the lowest-risk counties in Utah, with a score of 10.37 compared to the state average of 36.19. Only a handful of Utah counties experience lower composite disaster risk than Beaver.

Safest in the southern Utah cluster

Beaver County's risk profile is substantially lower than neighboring Piute and Iron counties. Its 10.37 score represents one of Utah's calmest disaster zones.

Wildfire and earthquakes are your main concerns

Wildfire risk is elevated at 85.31, and earthquake risk stands at 74.40, making these your two significant hazard exposures. Floods and tornadoes pose minimal threat, with scores below 8.0 each.

Focus insurance on wildfire and seismic coverage

While your overall risk is low, wildfire insurance and earthquake coverage deserve attention given your county's exposure levels. Standard homeowner policies typically exclude both—verify your coverage today.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Beaver County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    74th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    8th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Beaver County

Risk Verdict

Beaver County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 10th percentile nationally. Beaver County residents can take confidence from a 10th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Beaver County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 74th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (8th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 85th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Beaver 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 earthquake exposure at the 74th percentile nationally means Beaver 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 Beaver County residents.

Regional Context

Beaver County falls 25.8 points below Utah's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Beaver 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 Beaver County, UT?
Beaver County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Beaver County?
Beaver County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (85th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), flooding (8th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 85th 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 Beaver County risk compare to the Utah average?
Beaver County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Beaver County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Beaver County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Beaver County's wildfire risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Beaver County is at the 8th 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.
Is Beaver County a safe place to live?
Beaver County's composite risk score of 10th percentile is below the Utah state average of 36th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Grand County

Utah

-0.1

Very Low

10th percentile

Carbon County

Utah

-1.7

Very Low

9th percentile

Duchesne County

Utah

-2.8

Very Low

8th 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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