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

Kane County Disaster Risk

Kane County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

40th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

56th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Kane County, Utah

Kane County's risk slightly above national average

Kane County scores 39.66 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it just above Utah's state average of 36.19. This southern Utah county sits in the moderate range of national disaster exposure.

Mid-tier risk among Utah's 29 counties

Kane County ranks in the middle of Utah's counties for composite disaster risk, with several counties above it (notably Iron at 61.42) and more below it. Its position reflects moderate but not exceptional hazard exposure.

Similar to Garfield, lower than Iron County

Kane's 39.66 score closely parallels Garfield County (37.63) to the north and significantly exceeds Grand (10.27) to the northeast. Iron County's 61.42 makes it notably riskier than Kane, highlighting geographic variation in the southwestern region.

Wildfires and floods pose primary threats

Wildfire risk scores 88.04, making brush fires Kane County's most significant natural hazard, while flood risk registers 56.42—well above state average. Earthquake risk (37.95) presents a secondary concern in this arid southern region.

Secure wildfire and flood protections

Kane County residents face dual exposure to wildfires and flooding, with standard homeowners insurance covering only flood-related damage through separate NFIP policies. Prioritize comprehensive wildfire insurance and maintain adequate flood coverage, particularly in flood-prone canyon and stream areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Kane County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    88th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    38th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Kane County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Kane County ranks at the 40th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. A 40th percentile score positions Kane County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Kane County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Kane County sits at the 88th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Kane County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. A secondary flood exposure at the 56th percentile nationally means Kane County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. In Kane County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.

Regional Context

Kane County sits within 3.5 composite points of the Utah state average, suggesting the county's hazard exposure is representative of the broader regional pattern.

Is your household prepared for Kane 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 Kane County, UT?
Kane County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 40th 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 Kane County?
Kane County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (88th percentile), flooding (56th percentile), earthquake (38th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 88th 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 Kane County risk compare to the Utah average?
Kane County's composite risk percentile is 40th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Kane County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Kane County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Kane County's wildfire risk is at the 88th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Kane County is at the 56th 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.
Why is Kane County higher risk than average?
Kane County's composite risk score of 40th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (88th percentile), along with flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.