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

Morgan County Disaster Risk

Morgan County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

11th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 11% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 6% 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 Morgan County, Utah

Morgan County among nation's safest regions

Morgan County's composite risk score of 3.47 places it in the Very Low category, a remarkable 33 points below Utah's state average of 36.19. This small northern county experiences minimal aggregate exposure to natural disasters.

Second-safest county in Utah

Morgan County ranks second lowest among Utah's 29 counties, trailing only Piute County (0.89) in overall disaster risk. Its exceptional safety reflects geographic isolation and a favorable hazard profile.

Safest in the Wasatch Front region

Morgan's 3.47 score makes it significantly safer than neighboring Summit County and Weber County to the west, as well as Daggett County to the northeast. It stands as an outlier of safety in the more hazard-exposed Wasatch Front area.

Wildfire remains the primary hazard

Wildfire risk scores 84.10—well above state average—making brush fires Morgan County's main natural disaster concern. Flood (10.69) and earthquake (32.86) risks remain below state averages, creating a narrow hazard profile.

Wildfire insurance is your main priority

Despite Morgan County's exceptional overall safety, wildfire exposure warrants dedicated insurance coverage not included in standard homeowners policies. Residents should secure wildfire riders and maintain defensible space around structures to protect against the county's primary hazard.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Morgan County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    33th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    11th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Morgan County

Risk Verdict

Morgan County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 3th percentile nationally. At the 3th percentile nationally, Morgan County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Morgan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 33th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (11th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 84th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Morgan County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 33th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Morgan County residents.

Regional Context

Morgan County falls 32.7 points below Utah's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Morgan 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 Morgan County, UT?
Morgan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th 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 Morgan County?
Morgan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (84th percentile), earthquake (33th percentile), flooding (11th percentile), tornado (6th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 84th 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 Morgan County risk compare to the Utah average?
Morgan County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Morgan County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Morgan County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Morgan County's wildfire risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Morgan County is at the 11th 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 Morgan County a safe place to live?
Morgan County's composite risk score of 3th 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 84th 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.