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

Weber County Disaster Risk

Weber County, Utah

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

87th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#5

of 29 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

68th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% 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 32% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Weber County, Utah

Weber County faces moderate-high risk

Weber County's composite score of 87.02 places it in the relatively moderate category, well above the national average. Multiple overlapping hazards create concentrated risk across the county.

Among Utah's riskiest counties

Weber County's 87.02 score far exceeds the state average of 36.19, ranking it as one of Utah's three most hazard-prone counties. Only Utah County and Washington County face comparable disaster risk.

Higher risk than most neighbors

Weber County's 87.02 score is considerably higher than Wasatch County (33.52) and Wayne County (1.88), though slightly below Utah County (95.32). Your county faces significantly elevated natural disaster exposure compared to most neighboring communities.

Earthquakes and wildfires lead threats

Earthquake risk peaks at 97.68, while wildfire risk follows closely at 94.12—both among the nation's highest for these hazards. Flood risk at 67.56 represents a secondary but still substantial concern for many residents.

Layered insurance coverage required

Weber County residents must purchase separate earthquake and wildfire insurance policies, as standard homeowners coverage excludes these major hazards. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is also recommended given your county's 67.56 flood risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Weber County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    EarthquakePrepare
    98th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    94th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    68th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Weber County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 87th percentile, Weber County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Weber County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is Weber County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (68th percentile), tornado (32th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 98th percentile nationally for earthquake exposure, Weber County households benefit from practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On — the protocol that minimizes injury during shaking. Getting under a sturdy table or desk and holding on until shaking stops is the key action. The county's wildfire risk at the 94th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. Building age matters for earthquake risk in Weber County: structures built before local seismic code adoption are statistically more vulnerable. Contacting the local building department about retrofit programs can reveal whether your structure qualifies for mitigation assistance.

Regional Context

At 50.8 points above the Utah state average, Weber County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical Utah county.

Is your household prepared for Weber 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 Weber County, UT?
Weber County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 87th 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 Weber County?
Weber County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (98th percentile), wildfire (94th percentile), flooding (68th percentile), tornado (32th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 98th 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 Weber County risk compare to the Utah average?
Weber County's composite risk percentile is 87th, compared to the Utah state average of 36th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Weber County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Utah.
Is Weber County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Weber County's earthquake risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Weber County is at the 68th 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.
Why is Weber County higher risk than average?
Weber County's composite risk score of 87th percentile is above the Utah state average of 36th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (98th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.