Beaver County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Beaver County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 10.4, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Beaver County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 10.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $85K in expected annual loss and about 1.54 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $684K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beaver County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Beaver County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 3 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Cottonwood Fire (fire), declared in June 2026.
Among 29 Utah counties, Beaver County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.54 / yr | $85K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $684K |
| Winter Weather | High | 18.73 / yr | $274K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 71.49 / yr | $210K |
| Lightning | Low | 39.09 / yr | $196K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.52 / yr | $147K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $15K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $33K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Beaver County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Cottonwood Fire in June 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Fire | Cottonwood Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2005 | Flood | Flooding and Landslides |
| April 1983 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beaver County?
Beaver County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 10.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beaver County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $85K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $684K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beaver County compare to other Utah counties?
Beaver County ranks #19 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Beaver County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Beaver County since 1977, most often 3 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Cottonwood Fire, declared in June 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Beaver County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.