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

Summit County Disaster Risk

Summit County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

60th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#8

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

50th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 97% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 56% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Summit County, Utah

Summit County faces moderate disaster risk

At 60.08, Summit County's composite risk score exceeds the national average and ranks in the relatively low category. The score reflects significant wildfire exposure combined with moderate earthquake and flood risks.

Higher risk than most Utah counties

Summit County's 60.08 score substantially exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevation reflects the county's mountain terrain and wildland-urban interface characteristics.

Riskier than Tooele and surrounding areas

Summit County (60.08) exceeds neighboring Tooele County (48.89) and most other Utah counties in overall risk. Only Salt Lake County (98.57) shows notably higher composite risk in the region.

Wildfires dominate the risk landscape

Wildfire risk (96.53) stands as Summit County's overwhelmingly largest hazard exposure, with earthquake risk (55.53) and flood risk (49.62) also noteworthy. Tornado risk (13.58) remains comparatively low.

Wildfire protection is non-negotiable

Summit County residents must ensure wildfire coverage through their homeowners policy or a separate policy, as standard coverage may exclude wildfire damage. Also secure earthquake and flood insurance given the county's secondary exposures.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Summit County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    97th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    56th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    50th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Summit County

Risk Verdict

With a national percentile rank of 60th, Summit County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Summit County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 56th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (50th percentile), tornado (14th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 97th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Summit 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. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 56th percentile nationally means Summit County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. 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 Summit County residents.

Regional Context

At 23.9 points above the Utah state average, Summit County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Utah county.

Is your household prepared for Summit 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 Summit County, UT?
Summit County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 60th 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 Summit County?
Summit County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (97th percentile), earthquake (56th percentile), flooding (50th percentile), tornado (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 97th 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 Summit County risk compare to the Utah average?
Summit County's composite risk percentile is 60th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Summit County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Summit County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Summit County's wildfire risk is at the 97th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Summit County is at the 50th 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 Summit County higher risk than average?
Summit County's composite risk score of 60th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (97th 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

Iron County

Utah

+1.3

Relatively Low

61th percentile

Box Elder County

Utah

-4.2

Relatively Low

56th percentile

Cache County

Utah

+6.5

Relatively Low

67th 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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