Tooele County Disaster Risk
Tooele County, Utah
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
49th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 29 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
18th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 18% 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
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Tooele County, Utah
Tooele County faces moderate disaster risk
Tooele County's composite risk score of 48.89 sits above the national average and in the relatively low risk category. The county experiences significant exposure to wildfires and earthquakes.
Above Utah's average but not extreme
At 48.89, Tooele County exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19 by about 35 percent. This positioning places it in the upper-middle range of Utah counties for overall disaster vulnerability.
Higher risk than Summit, lower than Salt Lake
Tooele County (48.89) sits between Summit County (60.08) and the state average, while substantially below the extreme risk of neighboring Salt Lake County (98.57). Rich County (0.83) to the north represents a striking contrast in risk levels.
Wildfires and earthquakes pose major threats
Wildfire risk (97.26) is Tooele County's dominant hazard, with earthquake risk (83.56) presenting a secondary but substantial concern. Flood (18.29) and tornado (13.61) risks remain relatively minor.
Prioritize wildfire and earthquake coverage
Tooele County residents should ensure wildfire protection and earthquake insurance as essential additions to standard homeowners policies. These two hazards account for the vast majority of the county's disaster risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Tooele County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Tooele County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Tooele County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 49th percentile. A 49th percentile score positions Tooele County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Tooele County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (18th percentile), tornado (14th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 97th percentile nationally, Tooele County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Tooele County households to have on hand before fire season. The county's earthquake exposure at the 84th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Tooele County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Tooele County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Tooele County is 12.7 composite risk points above the Utah average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for Tooele County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Tooele County, UT?
What types of natural hazards affect Tooele County?
How does Tooele County risk compare to the Utah average?
Is Tooele County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Tooele County higher risk than average?
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.