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

Cache County Disaster Risk

Cache County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#6

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% 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 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cache County, Utah

Cache County's risk moderately exceeds national average

Cache County scores 66.54 on the composite risk scale, placing it above the national average with a 'Relatively Low' rating. Your county faces more diverse natural hazards than the typical American community.

Higher-risk profile within Utah

At 66.54, Cache County exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19 and ranks in the upper tier of the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only a few Utah counties face greater composite disaster risk.

Riskier than Box Elder to the north

Cache County's 66.54 score surpasses Box Elder County's 55.92, making it the most hazard-exposed county in the northern Utah cluster. Daggett and Rich counties to the east carry substantially lower risk.

Earthquakes, wildfires, and floods threaten Cache

Earthquake risk ranks highest at 94.59, followed closely by wildfire at 85.34 and flood risk at 45.77—your three primary hazard concerns. Tornado exposure is moderate at 21.15.

Triple-threat approach: earthquake, wildfire, flood

Your county requires comprehensive coverage across three major hazards: earthquake, wildfire, and flood insurance. Standard homeowner policies exclude all three—make these additions immediate priorities.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cache County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Cache County

Risk Verdict

At the 67th percentile nationally, Cache County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Cache County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Cache County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (46th percentile), tornado (21th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cache County's primary hazard, earthquake, ranks at the 95th percentile nationally. Unreinforced masonry structures carry the highest injury risk during seismic events; residents in older buildings should check with their municipality about available seismic retrofit programs. Alongside earthquake exposure, Cache County's wildfire risk at the 85th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. After a major earthquake, Cache County residents should expect water service disruption for 24 to 72 or more hours. Storing a minimum of one gallon per person per day for three days — before any event — is the most direct preparedness action households can take.

Regional Context

Cache County falls 30.4 points above Utah's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.

Is your household prepared for Cache 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 Cache County, UT?
Cache County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Cache County?
Cache County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (95th percentile), wildfire (85th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), tornado (21th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake 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 Cache County risk compare to the Utah average?
Cache County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Cache County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Cache County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Cache County's earthquake risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Cache County is at the 46th 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 Cache County higher risk than average?
Cache County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (95th percentile), along with wildfire 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.