Garfield County Disaster Risk
Garfield County, Utah
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
38th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#13
of 29 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
49th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 49% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% 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 64% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Garfield County, Utah
Garfield's risk slightly above national baseline
Garfield County scores 37.63 on the national composite risk scale, putting it in the Very Low category and just above Utah's state average of 36.19. This positioning reflects moderate exposure to natural hazards typical of rural southwestern Utah counties.
Mid-range risk among Utah counties
Among Utah's 29 counties, Garfield ranks in the middle tier for overall disaster risk. While its composite score exceeds the state average, several neighboring counties face significantly higher exposure to earthquakes and wildfires.
Comparable to Kane and slightly higher than Iron
Garfield's 37.63 score sits between Kane County (39.66) to the south and Grand County (10.27) to the north. Both Garfield and Kane face elevated wildfire and earthquake risks compared to their neighbors, though Iron County's 61.42 score signals notably higher overall exposure.
Wildfires and earthquakes dominate here
Wildfire risk scores 78.28—among the highest in the state—making brush fires the leading natural hazard threat in Garfield County. Earthquake risk registers at 64.09, well above the state average, presenting a secondary concern for homeowners and infrastructure.
Prioritize wildfire and quake coverage
Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes wildfire and earthquake damage, leaving properties vulnerable to the county's top two risks. Residents should secure separate wildfire and earthquake riders or policies, and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce fire exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Garfield County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Garfield County
Risk Verdict
Garfield County's overall natural disaster score at the 38th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 38th percentile, Garfield County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Garfield County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 64th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (49th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 78th percentile nationally, Garfield 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 Garfield County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 64th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Garfield County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Garfield County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Garfield County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Utah county average, with a 1.4-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Garfield County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Garfield County, UT?
What types of natural hazards affect Garfield County?
How does Garfield County risk compare to the Utah average?
Is Garfield County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Garfield County higher risk than average?
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.