Utah natural disaster risk
Utah ranks #32 of 51 from safest. Its biggest relative risks are wildfire, earthquake, lightning.
The vertical line marks the middle of U.S. counties (50).
Risk in Utah's largest counties
| County | Population | Risk score | FEMA rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County | 1,196,523 | 98.6 | Relatively High |
| Utah County | 705,400 | 95.3 | Relatively High |
| Davis County | 370,924 | 87.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Weber County | 269,648 | 87.0 | Relatively Moderate |
| Washington County | 196,431 | 92.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cache County | 140,046 | 66.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tooele County | 79,347 | 48.9 | Relatively Low |
| Iron County | 62,252 | 61.4 | Relatively Low |
| Box Elder County | 61,246 | 55.9 | Relatively Low |
| Summit County | 42,970 | 60.1 | Relatively Low |
| Uintah County | 37,056 | 4.0 | Very Low |
| Wasatch County | 36,642 | 33.5 | Very Low |
| Sanpete County | 29,719 | 38.6 | Very Low |
| Sevier County | 22,085 | 22.7 | Very Low |
| Carbon County | 20,517 | 8.7 | Very Low |
| Duchesne County | 20,185 | 7.6 | Very Low |
| San Juan County | 14,483 | 26.8 | Very Low |
| Millard County | 13,315 | 22.2 | Very Low |
| Morgan County | 12,802 | 3.5 | Very Low |
| Juab County | 12,586 | 15.3 | Very Low |
| Emery County | 10,046 | 7.0 | Very Low |
| Grand County | 9,754 | 10.3 | Very Low |
| Kane County | 8,170 | 39.7 | Very Low |
| Beaver County | 7,273 | 10.4 | Very Low |
| Garfield County | 5,219 | 37.6 | Very Low |
County scores are averages, and the insurance figure above is what owners with a mortgage reported paying in 2024 (Census American Community Survey); premiums have risen since, especially in high-risk areas. For a specific home, check the address on FEMA's flood map and get insurance quotes before you commit. Our guide explains how to check natural disaster risk before you move.
Lowest-risk counties in Utah
- Uintah County 4.0
- Duchesne County 7.6
- Carbon County 8.7
- Sevier County 22.7
- Wasatch County 33.5
- Sanpete County 38.6
- Tooele County 48.9
- Box Elder County 55.9
Cities in Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT risk 95.7
- Provo, UT risk 93.9
- Ogden, UT risk 85.9
Frequently asked questions
Is Utah safe from natural disasters?
Utah's population-weighted FEMA risk score is 84.9 out of 100 (among the highest of U.S. counties), #32 of 51 from safest. About 56% of residents live in counties FEMA rates relatively high or very high.
What natural disasters happen in Utah?
The highest relative risks in Utah are wildfire, earthquake, lightning (national percentile scores 95, 94, 92).
Where is the safest place to live in Utah?
Among counties with at least 20,000 people, the lowest FEMA risk scores are in Uintah County, Duchesne County, Carbon County.