Sweetwater County Disaster Risk
Sweetwater County, Wyoming
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
31th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#13
of 23 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
52th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 9% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Sweetwater County, Wyoming
Sweetwater's risk remains well below average
Sweetwater County scores 30.63 on the composite risk index, earning a Very Low rating and sitting below the national risk baseline. This moderate score reflects balanced exposure across several hazard types without extreme vulnerability in any single category. Sweetwater residents benefit from relative geographic stability compared to many U.S. counties.
Middle-rank safety among Wyoming counties
Sweetwater's composite score of 30.63 falls below Wyoming's state average of 37.86, placing it in the safer half of the state's county rankings. The county avoids the elevated risks present in northwestern Wyoming while maintaining reasonable preparedness standards. Sweetwater's position reflects its location in south-central Wyoming's varied terrain.
Comparable risk profile to regional peers
Sweetwater (30.63) shares similar risk exposure with neighboring Sublette County (21.63) and Washakie County (24.36), forming a relatively safe corridor in western Wyoming. Sweetwater's composite score exceeds nearby Uinta County (16.70) but remains well below Teton County (70.64) and Sheridan County (65.20). This middle positioning reflects Sweetwater's transitional geography between high and low-risk zones.
Flood and wildfire deserve attention
Sweetwater's flood risk reaches 52.45, the highest hazard score in the county and reflecting its location along river corridors and drainage areas. Wildfire risk scores 66.16, a moderate exposure reflecting grassland and forest vegetation patterns across the region. Tornado risk remains low at 9.35, with earthquake exposure moderate at 65.55.
Flood insurance worth evaluating carefully
Sweetwater residents, particularly those near stream corridors or low-lying areas, should investigate NFIP flood insurance given the county's 52.45 flood risk score. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, making supplemental coverage essential if you're in a flood-prone location. Verify wildfire coverage separately and maintain defensible space around structures in forested or grassland areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Sweetwater County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Sweetwater County
Risk Verdict
At the 31th percentile nationally, Sweetwater County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 31th percentile, Sweetwater County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Sweetwater County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 66th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (52th percentile), tornado (9th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Sweetwater County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 66th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Sweetwater County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 66th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Sweetwater 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
A composite score 7.2 points below the Wyoming state average puts Sweetwater County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.
Is your household prepared for Sweetwater County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Sweetwater County, WY?
What types of natural hazards affect Sweetwater County?
How does Sweetwater County risk compare to the Wyoming average?
Is Sweetwater County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Sweetwater County a safe place to live?
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.