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

Juab County Disaster Risk

Juab County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

15th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

5th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% 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 7% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Juab County, Utah

Juab County among America's safest regions

Juab County's composite risk score of 15.30 places it in the Very Low category, dramatically below both the national average and Utah's state average of 36.19. Despite high wildfire scores, the county's overall risk profile remains exceptionally benign.

Third-lowest risk in Utah

Among Utah's 29 counties, Juab ranks in the bottom tier for composite disaster risk, ahead of only Grand (10.27) and Piute (0.89). Its remote central location and sparse population contribute to this favorable positioning.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Juab's 15.30 score makes it one of the safest counties in its region, lower than Millard (22.17) to the west and significantly below Sevier County to the south. Only neighboring Morgan County (3.47) poses lower overall risk.

Wildfire risk dominates despite low overall score

Wildfire risk registers at 91.03—well above state average—making it the primary natural hazard in Juab County. Earthquake risk (79.33) ranks second, though both remain localized threats given the county's isolation and small population.

Wildfire coverage should be your priority

Though Juab County's overall risk is low, wildfire exposure warrants dedicated insurance protection unavailable in standard homeowner policies. Residents should secure wildfire coverage and maintain defensive landscaping, while earthquake insurance offers secondary protection in this relatively safe county.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Juab County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Juab County

Risk Verdict

At the 15th percentile nationally, Juab County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. Residents of Juab County can use the 15th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Juab County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (7th percentile), flood (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Juab County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Juab County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 79th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Juab County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 20.9 points below the Utah state average puts Juab County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Juab 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 Juab County, UT?
Juab County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 15th 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 Juab County?
Juab County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), tornado (7th percentile), flooding (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 91th 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 Juab County risk compare to the Utah average?
Juab County's composite risk percentile is 15th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Juab County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Juab County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Juab County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Juab County is at the 5th 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 Juab County a safe place to live?
Juab County's composite risk score of 15th 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 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.