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

Davis County Disaster Risk

Davis County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

88th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 34% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Davis County, Utah

Davis County faces above-average U.S. disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 87.82, Davis County substantially exceeds the national average, earning a 'Relatively Moderate' rating. Your county ranks among America's more hazard-exposed communities.

Highest-risk county in Utah

Davis County's 87.82 score towers above Utah's state average of 36.19 and represents the highest composite disaster risk in the state. No other Utah county faces greater natural hazard exposure.

Far riskier than all surrounding counties

Davis County's 87.82 score dwarfs Box Elder (55.92) and Cache (66.54) to the north and east, and dramatically exceeds Salt Lake and Weber counties. It stands alone as Utah's disaster-risk epicenter.

Earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes all threaten

Earthquake risk is critical at 98.00, wildfire reaches 90.59, flood stands at 59.48, and tornado exposure is substantial at 34.45. Your county faces a four-way hazard challenge unprecedented in Utah.

Comprehensive four-hazard insurance strategy required

Davis County residents must prioritize earthquake, wildfire, flood, and tornado coverage—all absent from standard homeowner policies. This is not optional; it's essential protection for your home and family.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Davis County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    59th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Davis County

Risk Verdict

At the 88th percentile nationally, Davis County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Davis County residents.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Davis County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (59th percentile), tornado (34th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake ranked as the top hazard at the 98th percentile nationally, Davis County residents benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance: standard policies rarely cover earthquake damage, and separate earthquake insurance must be purchased before an event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Davis County's wildfire risk at the 91th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Earthquake insurance in Davis County is typically offered as a separate policy — standard homeowners coverage excludes ground movement. Reviewing this gap and comparing policy options before an event is a financial preparedness step with potentially large consequences.

Regional Context

The Utah county average is 51.6 composite points below Davis County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Davis 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 Davis County, UT?
Davis County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 88th 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 Davis County?
Davis County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (98th percentile), wildfire (91th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), tornado (34th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 98th 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 Davis County risk compare to the Utah average?
Davis County's composite risk percentile is 88th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Davis County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Davis County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Davis County's earthquake risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Davis County is at the 59th 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 Davis County higher risk than average?
Davis County's composite risk score of 88th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (98th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding 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.