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

Wasatch County Disaster Risk

Wasatch County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

34th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

32th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 12% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wasatch County, Utah

Wasatch County has very low overall risk

Wasatch County's composite risk score of 33.52 places it in the very low category, roughly equal to the national average. Most hazard types pose minimal threat, though localized risks deserve attention.

Among Utah's safest counties

Wasatch County scores well below the state average of 36.19, ranking among the lowest-risk counties in Utah. Your community enjoys significantly better natural disaster protection than most of the state.

Safer than nearby Utah County

Wasatch County's score of 33.52 is dramatically lower than neighboring Utah County (95.32) and Weber County (87.02). You live in one of the state's more fortunate communities when it comes to natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire remains the main concern

Wildfire risk at 94.21 is your county's primary hazard and stands well above other threats like earthquake risk (58.97). Tornado and flood risks are minimal, scoring 11.83 and 32.35 respectively.

Wildfire insurance is your priority

While your overall risk profile is favorable, wildfire insurance or rider coverage on your homeowners policy is essential given the 94.21 risk score. Standard policies may not fully cover wildfire damage, so verify coverage limits with your agent.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wasatch County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    94th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Wasatch County

Risk Verdict

At the 34th percentile nationally, Wasatch County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. The 34th percentile national ranking is one lens; Wasatch County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wasatch County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (32th percentile), tornado (12th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wasatch County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Wasatch County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's earthquake exposure at the 59th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Wasatch County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

The county's composite score diverges by only 2.7 points from the Utah average, making Wasatch County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Wasatch 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 Wasatch County, UT?
Wasatch County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 34th 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 Wasatch County?
Wasatch County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (94th percentile), earthquake (59th percentile), flooding (32th percentile), tornado (12th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 94th 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 Wasatch County risk compare to the Utah average?
Wasatch County's composite risk percentile is 34th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wasatch County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Wasatch County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wasatch County's wildfire risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Wasatch County is at the 32th 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 Wasatch County a safe place to live?
Wasatch County's composite risk score of 34th 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 94th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Garfield County

Utah

+4.1

Very Low

38th percentile

Sanpete County

Utah

+5.1

Very Low

39th percentile

Kane County

Utah

+6.1

Very Low

40th 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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