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

Millard County Disaster Risk

Millard County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#17

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

16th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% 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 8% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Millard County, Utah

Millard County poses low disaster risk nationally

Millard County's composite risk score of 22.17 falls into the Very Low category, approximately 40% below Utah's state average of 36.19. This central Utah county enjoys below-average exposure to natural hazards.

Fourth-lowest risk in Utah

Among Utah's 29 counties, Millard ranks toward the lower end of disaster exposure, ahead of Juab (15.30), Grand (10.27), and Piute (0.89). Its remote desert location contributes to this favorable positioning.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Millard's 22.17 score makes it safer than Garfield (37.63), Juab (15.30 but with higher wildfire), and Piute (0.89 only slightly lower). It occupies a middle ground in the central Utah risk landscape.

Wildfire and earthquake are primary concerns

Wildfire risk scores 91.22, among the state's highest, making brush fires Millard's dominant hazard despite its low composite score. Earthquake risk (83.24) ranks second, reflecting the county's position in seismically active central Utah.

Prioritize wildfire and quake coverage

Though Millard County's overall risk is low, concentrated hazards—particularly wildfire—warrant dedicated insurance unavailable through standard policies. Residents should secure wildfire and earthquake riders while maintaining defensible space and emergency preparedness plans.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Millard County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    16th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Millard County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Millard County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 22th percentile. Being ranked at the 22th percentile nationally is an advantage for Millard County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Millard County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (16th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 91th percentile nationally for wildfire, Millard County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. The county's earthquake exposure at the 83th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Millard County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Millard County is 14.0 composite risk points below the Utah state mean, meaning most other Utah counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Millard 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 Millard County, UT?
Millard County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Millard County?
Millard County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (91th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (16th percentile), tornado (8th 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 Millard County risk compare to the Utah average?
Millard County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Millard County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Millard County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Millard County's wildfire risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Millard County is at the 16th 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 Millard County a safe place to live?
Millard County's composite risk score of 22th 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.