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

Wayne County Disaster Risk

Wayne County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

2th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#27

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Wayne County, Utah

Wayne County has minimal risk

Wayne County's composite risk score of just 1.88 places it in the very low category, far below the national average. Your county enjoys exceptional protection from most natural disaster hazards.

Utah's safest county by far

Wayne County's score of 1.88 is dramatically lower than Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the safest county in the state. The gap reflects Wayne County's fortunate geography relative to other Utah communities.

Far safer than surrounding areas

Wayne County's 1.88 score is dramatically lower than neighboring Washington County (92.81), Utah County (95.32), and Weber County (87.02). Your county represents a low-risk oasis within a region of elevated natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire is your only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 53.69 is the only hazard reaching moderate levels in Wayne County; all other risks are minimal. Earthquake (47.77), flood (6.90), and tornado (2.23) risks are negligible by state and national standards.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Wayne County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance may be adequate for most residents. Still, verify that your policy covers the modest wildfire risk (53.69), and consider your specific property location when finalizing coverage.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Wayne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    54th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    7th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Wayne County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Wayne County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 2th percentile. A preparedness foundation — alert registration, household communication plan, and a basic supply review — costs little and remains valuable even at Wayne County's favorable 2th percentile ranking.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Wayne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 54th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 54th percentile nationally for wildfire, Wayne County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 48th percentile nationally means Wayne County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Wayne County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Wayne County is 34.3 composite risk points below the Utah state mean, meaning most other Utah counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Wayne 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 Wayne County, UT?
Wayne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 2th 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (54th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 54th 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 Wayne County risk compare to the Utah average?
Wayne County's composite risk percentile is 2th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Wayne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Wayne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Wayne County's wildfire risk is at the 54th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Wayne County is at the 7th 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 Wayne County a safe place to live?
Wayne County's composite risk score of 2th 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 54th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.