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

Grand County Disaster Risk

Grand County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

10th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#20

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 33% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Grand County, Utah

Grand County among the nation's lowest-risk areas

Grand County's composite risk score of 10.27 places it squarely in the Very Low category, well below the national average and significantly below Utah's state average of 36.19. This remote, sparsely populated county experiences minimal aggregate disaster exposure.

Second-lowest risk county in Utah

Grand County ranks near the bottom of Utah's 29 counties for natural disaster risk, trailing only Piute County (0.89) in overall exposure. This exceptionally low positioning reflects its isolation and geographic setting in eastern Utah.

Safest in a diverse risk landscape

Grand County's 10.27 score makes it the safest in its region, surrounded by higher-risk neighbors: Garfield (37.63) to the south, Uintah County to the east, and Emery County to the west. Its low exposure contrasts sharply with Iron County's 61.42 in the southwestern corner of the state.

Wildfire the primary natural hazard

Wildfire risk scores 58.56 in Grand County, representing the county's most significant exposure to natural disaster. Flood risk (25.38) and earthquake risk (32.70) remain well below state averages, creating a relatively benign hazard profile overall.

Focus on wildfire preparedness primarily

While Grand County's overall risk is low, wildfire preparedness remains important given the county's landscape and geography. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers weather-related damage, though residents in rural areas should verify coverage limits and maintain defensible space around properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Grand County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    59th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Grand County

Risk Verdict

Grand County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 10th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Grand County's 10th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Grand County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 59th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (25th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Grand County's primary hazard at the 59th percentile nationally. For Grand County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 33th percentile nationally means Grand County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Grand County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Utah county average, Grand County's composite score runs 25.9 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Grand 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 Grand County, UT?
Grand County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 10th 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 Grand County?
Grand County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (59th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 59th 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 Grand County risk compare to the Utah average?
Grand County's composite risk percentile is 10th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Grand County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Grand County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Grand County's wildfire risk is at the 59th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Grand County is at the 25th 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 Grand County a safe place to live?
Grand County's composite risk score of 10th 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 59th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Beaver County

Utah

+0.1

Very Low

10th percentile

Carbon County

Utah

-1.6

Very Low

9th percentile

Duchesne County

Utah

-2.7

Very Low

8th 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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