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

Duchesne County Disaster Risk

Duchesne County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

8th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#22

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

15th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Duchesne County, Utah

Duchesne County ranks among nation's safest

With a composite risk score of 7.60, Duchesne County sits well below the national average, earning a 'Very Low' rating. Your county experiences minimal natural disaster exposure compared to typical American communities.

Third-lowest disaster risk in Utah

Duchesne County's 7.60 score ranks near the bottom in Utah, significantly below the state average of 36.19. Only Emery and Daggett counties face lower composite disaster risk statewide.

Safer than surrounding eastern Utah counties

Duchesne County's 7.60 score is lower than Carbon (8.68) and considerably lower than Uintah to the east. It represents one of Utah's most hazard-sheltered locations.

Wildfire and earthquake are your main hazards

Wildfire risk is elevated at 80.44 and earthquake risk stands at 59.96, making these your primary concerns. Flood (15.33) and tornado (7.03) exposures remain quite low.

Wildfire and earthquake coverage recommended

While your overall risk is very low, wildfire and earthquake insurance offer meaningful protection at modest cost. Standard homeowner policies exclude both hazards; add these riders now.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Duchesne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    60th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    15th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Duchesne County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Duchesne County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 8th percentile. Even at the 8th percentile, Duchesne County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Duchesne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 80th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (15th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 80th percentile nationally for wildfire, Duchesne County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 60th percentile nationally means Duchesne County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Duchesne County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Duchesne County is 28.6 composite risk points below the Utah state mean, meaning most other Utah counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Duchesne 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 Duchesne County, UT?
Duchesne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 8th 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 Duchesne County?
Duchesne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (80th percentile), earthquake (60th percentile), flooding (15th percentile), tornado (7th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 80th 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 Duchesne County risk compare to the Utah average?
Duchesne County's composite risk percentile is 8th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Duchesne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Duchesne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Duchesne County's wildfire risk is at the 80th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Duchesne County is at the 15th 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 Duchesne County a safe place to live?
Duchesne County's composite risk score of 8th 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 80th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Emery County

Utah

-0.6

Very Low

7th percentile

Carbon County

Utah

+1.1

Very Low

9th percentile

Grand County

Utah

+2.7

Very Low

10th 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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