Iron County Disaster Risk
Iron County, Utah
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
61th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#7
of 29 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
45th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 87% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Iron County, Utah
Iron County faces above-average disaster risk
Iron County's composite risk score of 61.42 earns a Relatively Low rating but sits 25 points above Utah's state average of 36.19. This southwestern county experiences greater overall hazard exposure than most of its state counterparts.
Third-highest risk county in Utah
Iron County ranks in the top tier of Utah's 29 counties for natural disaster exposure, exceeded only by a handful of municipalities. Its 61.42 score reflects significant vulnerability to multiple hazard types across its geography.
Highest risk in the southwestern corner
Iron County's 61.42 exceeds all nearby counties, including Garfield (37.63) to the east, Kane (39.66) to the southeast, and Washington County to the west. This positioning makes Iron the riskiest county in its entire region.
Extreme wildfire and earthquake threats
Wildfire risk soars to 97.74—the highest in the state—making brush fires the dominant hazard in Iron County. Earthquake risk of 86.83 adds significant secondary exposure, both stemming from the county's location along active tectonic zones and in a fire-prone climate.
Essential: wildfire and earthquake insurance
Iron County residents face severe exposure to both wildfires and earthquakes, neither covered by standard homeowners policies. Securing comprehensive wildfire and earthquake insurance, combined with aggressive defensible-space maintenance and emergency preparedness, is critical for protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Iron County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Iron County
Risk Verdict
Iron County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 61th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Iron County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Iron County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 87th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (45th percentile), tornado (4th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Iron County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. Iron County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. The county's earthquake exposure at the 87th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. For Iron County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
Iron County's composite risk score sits 25.2 points above the Utah county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Iron County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Iron County, UT?
What types of natural hazards affect Iron County?
How does Iron County risk compare to the Utah average?
Is Iron County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Iron 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.