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

Box Elder County Disaster Risk

Box Elder County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

56th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#9

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

19th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Box Elder County, Utah

Box Elder faces moderate disaster risk nationally

With a composite risk score of 55.92, Box Elder County exceeds the national average, carrying a 'Relatively Low' rating. Your county experiences more natural hazard exposure than typical American communities.

Mid-range risk among Utah counties

Box Elder's score of 55.92 sits above Utah's state average of 36.19, placing it in the higher-risk tier within the state. However, several Utah counties face significantly greater disaster threats.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Box Elder County's 55.92 score exceeds both Daggett and Rich counties to the east. Only Cache County to the south approaches similar risk levels in the immediate vicinity.

Wildfire and earthquake dominate your hazards

Wildfire risk is particularly acute at 95.36—among the highest in the state—while earthquake risk reaches 93.29. Tornado exposure is moderate at 12.56, and flood risk remains manageable at 19.50.

Wildfire and earthquake insurance are critical

Given wildfire and earthquake scores above 93, these specialized coverages should anchor your protection strategy. Standard homeowner policies exclude both hazards; add them as separate riders or endorsements now.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Box Elder County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    93th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    19th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Box Elder County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Box Elder County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 56th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Box Elder County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Box Elder County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (19th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Box Elder County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Box Elder County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's earthquake exposure at the 93th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Box Elder County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Box Elder County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Box Elder County is 19.7 composite risk points above the Utah average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.

Is your household prepared for Box Elder 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 Box Elder County, UT?
Box Elder County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 56th 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 Box Elder County?
Box Elder County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (95th percentile), earthquake (93th percentile), flooding (19th percentile), tornado (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 95th 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 Box Elder County risk compare to the Utah average?
Box Elder County's composite risk percentile is 56th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Box Elder County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Box Elder County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Box Elder County's wildfire risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Box Elder County is at the 19th 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 Box Elder County higher risk than average?
Box Elder County's composite risk score of 56th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (95th percentile), along with earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.