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

Uintah County Disaster Risk

Uintah County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

4th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#24

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

10th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 10% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Uintah County, Utah

Uintah County ranks among safest nationally

With a composite risk score of 3.98, Uintah County places among America's safest counties for natural disasters. The very low rating reflects minimal exposure to most major hazard types.

Utah's safest county overall

Uintah County's score of 3.98 sits far below Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the state's lowest-risk county. Only Rich County comes close to matching this exceptional safety profile.

Far safer than surrounding counties

Uintah County (3.98) dramatically outperforms all neighboring counties, including Rich County (0.83) and San Juan County (26.81). This advantage reflects geographic isolation and lower exposure to regional hazards.

Wildfire and earthquake risks remain modest

Wildfire risk (71.37) and earthquake risk (56.87) represent Uintah County's primary exposures, though both remain far below the state average. Flood (10.27) and tornado (9.61) risks pose minimal threats.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Uintah County's very low disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for most properties. Consider wildfire coverage only if your home sits in a forested area or near wildland zones.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Uintah County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    71th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    57th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    10th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Uintah County

Risk Verdict

Uintah County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 4th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. Being ranked at the 4th percentile nationally is an advantage for Uintah County — it means fewer statistically likely events, though basic readiness ensures households are covered when exceptions occur.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Uintah County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 71th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 57th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (10th percentile), tornado (10th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire ranks as Uintah County's primary hazard at the 71th percentile nationally. For Uintah County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 57th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Uintah County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.

Regional Context

Compared to the Utah county average, Uintah County's composite score runs 32.2 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.

Is your household prepared for Uintah 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 Uintah County, UT?
Uintah County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 4th 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 Uintah County?
Uintah County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (71th percentile), earthquake (57th percentile), flooding (10th percentile), tornado (10th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 71th 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 Uintah County risk compare to the Utah average?
Uintah County's composite risk percentile is 4th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Uintah County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Uintah County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Uintah County's wildfire risk is at the 71th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Uintah County is at the 10th 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 Uintah County a safe place to live?
Uintah County's composite risk score of 4th 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 wildfire at the 71th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Daggett County

Utah

-0.3

Very Low

4th percentile

Morgan County

Utah

-0.5

Very Low

3th percentile

Wayne County

Utah

-2.1

Very Low

2th 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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