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

Sevier County Disaster Risk

Sevier County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

23th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#16

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

22th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 5% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Sevier County, Utah

Sevier County ranks among America's safest

Sevier County's composite risk score of 22.74 places it far below the national average and in the very low risk category. The county benefits from geographic isolation and lower exposure to most major hazard types.

Utah's third-safest county

At 22.74, Sevier County scores well below Utah's state average of 36.19, ranking among the state's most resilient counties. Only Rich County and Uintah County score lower for overall disaster risk.

Safest of the south-central counties

Sevier County (22.74) substantially outperforms neighboring Sanpete County (38.61) and exceeds San Juan County (26.81) in safety. This advantage reflects lower seismic activity and reduced exposure to other regional hazards.

Earthquake risk presents the main concern

Earthquake risk (86.99) and wildfire risk (78.59) are Sevier County's primary exposures, while flood (22.14) and tornado (5.25) risks remain minimal. The earthquake hazard reflects Utah's broader seismic setting.

Add earthquake coverage to your policy

Standard homeowners insurance in Sevier County should be supplemented with earthquake coverage given the county's exposure level. Wildfire protection is also recommended, particularly for properties in forested or wildland-urban interface areas.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Sevier County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    22th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Sevier County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Sevier County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 23th percentile. Sevier County residents can take confidence from a 23th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Sevier County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 79th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (22th percentile), tornado (5th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 87th percentile nationally for earthquake risk, Sevier County is in a zone where a post-earthquake communications plan matters almost as much as pre-earthquake structural preparation — phone networks are typically congested for hours after a significant event. Alongside earthquake exposure, Sevier County's wildfire risk at the 79th percentile nationally reinforces the value of maintaining a household emergency supply cache usable for multiple hazard scenarios. For Sevier County households, the three highest-impact earthquake preparedness actions are: (1) anchor heavy furniture and water heaters, (2) store three days of water at one gallon per person per day, and (3) identify a family reunification plan for the post-quake communication blackout period.

Regional Context

Sevier County is 13.4 composite risk points below the Utah state mean, meaning most other Utah counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Sevier 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 Sevier County, UT?
Sevier County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 23th 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 Sevier County?
Sevier County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (87th percentile), wildfire (79th percentile), flooding (22th percentile), tornado (5th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 87th 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 Sevier County risk compare to the Utah average?
Sevier County's composite risk percentile is 23th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Sevier County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Sevier County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Sevier County's earthquake risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Sevier County is at the 22th 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 Sevier County a safe place to live?
Sevier County's composite risk score of 23th 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 earthquake at the 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Millard County

Utah

-0.6

Very Low

22th percentile

San Juan County

Utah

+4.1

Very Low

27th percentile

Juab County

Utah

-7.4

Very Low

15th 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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