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

Sanpete County Disaster Risk

Sanpete County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

39th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#12

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

25th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 13% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sanpete County, Utah

Sanpete County shows moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 38.61, Sanpete County sits slightly above the national average and in the very low risk category. The score reflects mixed hazard exposure across the central Utah region.

Slightly above Utah's average risk

Sanpete County's 38.61 score exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19 by about 6 percent. This positions it in the middle range of Utah counties for overall disaster vulnerability.

Higher risk than San Juan, lower than Summit

Sanpete County (38.61) falls between San Juan County (26.81) and Summit County (60.08), reflecting its position in central Utah's varied terrain. Sevier County (22.74) to the south experiences notably lower overall risk.

Earthquakes and wildfires lead concerns

Earthquake risk (83.43) and wildfire risk (89.03) represent Sanpete County's two biggest hazard exposures. Flood (24.52) and tornado (12.50) risks remain substantially lower by comparison.

Earthquake and wildfire insurance recommended

Sanpete County residents should prioritize earthquake coverage and wildfire protection as essential additions to standard homeowners insurance. Review your policy annually to ensure adequate coverage for these primary risks.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sanpete County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    89th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    83th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    25th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sanpete County

Risk Verdict

Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Sanpete County ranks at the 39th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Sanpete County's 39th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Sanpete County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 83th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (25th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Sanpete County sits at the 89th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Sanpete 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. 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. In Sanpete 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

Sanpete County sits within 2.4 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 Sanpete 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 Sanpete County, UT?
Sanpete County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 39th 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 Sanpete County?
Sanpete County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (89th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), flooding (25th percentile), tornado (13th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 89th 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 Sanpete County risk compare to the Utah average?
Sanpete County's composite risk percentile is 39th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sanpete County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Sanpete County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Sanpete County's wildfire risk is at the 89th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sanpete County is at the 25th 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 Sanpete County higher risk than average?
Sanpete County's composite risk score of 39th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (89th percentile), along with earthquake 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

Garfield County

Utah

-1.0

Very Low

38th percentile

Kane County

Utah

+1.0

Very Low

40th percentile

Wasatch County

Utah

-5.1

Very Low

34th 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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