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

Salt Lake County Disaster Risk

Salt Lake County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

99th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#1

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

93th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% 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

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very High

Higher than 100% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Salt Lake County, Utah

Salt Lake faces higher-than-average disaster risk

At 98.57, Salt Lake County's composite risk score places it in the relatively high category and well above the national average. The county experiences significant exposure to floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

Utah's riskiest county by far

Salt Lake County's score of 98.57 towers over Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the state's highest-risk county. This reflects the concentration of population, infrastructure, and diverse hazard exposure across the Wasatch Front.

Risk significantly exceeds surrounding counties

Salt Lake County's risk is nearly 40 points higher than Summit County (60.08) and Tooele County (48.89) combined pressures. The urban footprint and geography create unique vulnerabilities not seen in neighboring rural areas.

Four hazards demand serious attention

Earthquakes (99.62), wildfires (98.35), and floods (92.94) rank among Salt Lake County's gravest threats, joined by notable tornado risk (70.96). Each hazard type requires distinct preparation and coverage strategies.

Comprehensive insurance is essential

Standard homeowners insurance in Salt Lake County should be supplemented with earthquake coverage, flood insurance, and wildfire protection depending on your location. Contact your agent about a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan covering all four primary hazards.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Salt Lake County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    100th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    98th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    93th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Salt Lake County

Risk Verdict

Salt Lake County carries an elevated natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 99th percentile nationally under FEMA's risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Salt Lake County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 98th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (93th percentile), tornado (71th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Earthquake risk is Salt Lake County's leading natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally. Securing tall furniture, water heaters, and bookcases to walls with anti-tip hardware is among the simplest and most effective life-safety measures households can take. Alongside earthquake exposure, Salt Lake County's wildfire risk at the 98th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. Salt Lake County residents should locate the main gas shutoff valve and keep an appropriate wrench nearby — gas leaks cause a significant share of earthquake-related injuries and fires, and the shutoff step is safe to take immediately after shaking stops.

Regional Context

Salt Lake County's composite risk score sits 62.4 points above the Utah county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County, UT?
Salt Lake County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 99th 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 Salt Lake County?
Salt Lake County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (100th percentile), wildfire (98th percentile), flooding (93th percentile), tornado (71th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 100th 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 Salt Lake County risk compare to the Utah average?
Salt Lake County's composite risk percentile is 99th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Salt Lake County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Salt Lake County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Salt Lake County's earthquake risk is at the 100th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Salt Lake County is at the 93th 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 Salt Lake County higher risk than average?
Salt Lake County's composite risk score of 99th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (100th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Utah County

Utah

-3.2

Relatively High

95th percentile

Washington County

Utah

-5.8

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Davis County

Utah

-10.8

Relatively Moderate

88th percentile

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.

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