Washington County Disaster Risk
Washington County, Utah
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
93th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#3
of 29 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
93th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very High
Higher than 100% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 6% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Washington County, Utah
Washington County faces elevated risk
With a composite score of 92.81, Washington County ranks as relatively moderate—significantly higher than the national average. This score reflects concentrated exposure to multiple hazard types that affect the region.
Utah's third-riskiest county
Washington County's score of 92.81 substantially exceeds Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the third-most hazard-prone county in the state. Only Utah County and Weber County face comparable risk levels.
Riskier than most Utah neighbors
Washington County's 92.81 score is much higher than Wasatch County (33.52) and Wayne County (1.88), though similar to Utah County (95.32). Your region faces significantly more natural disaster exposure than most neighboring areas.
Wildfire and flooding dominate
Wildfire risk is extreme at 99.84—the highest in the state—while flood risk follows at 93.35. Earthquake risk at 81.08 rounds out a formidable triple threat to property and safety.
Multiple insurance policies essential
Washington County residents must secure separate wildfire and earthquake insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude these hazards. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is equally critical given your county's 93.35 flood risk.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Washington County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Washington County
Risk Verdict
At the 93th percentile nationally, Washington County sits in the upper half of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Washington County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Washington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 100th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 93th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (81th percentile), tornado (6th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Washington County sits at the 100th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Washington County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 93th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Washington County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Utah county average is 56.6 composite points below Washington County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Washington County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Washington County, UT?
What types of natural hazards affect Washington County?
How does Washington County risk compare to the Utah average?
Is Washington County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Washington 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.