Daggett County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Daggett County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.7, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Daggett County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 4th 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.
Most of Daggett County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $304K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $539K in expected annual loss and about 45.70 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 927.
Beyond physical exposure, Daggett County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Daggett County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 29 Utah counties, Daggett County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 0.07 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $304K |
| Lightning | Medium | 45.70 / yr | $539K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $3K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 25.71 / yr | $26K |
| Drought | Very Low | 103.64 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $512 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $3K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $192K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Daggett County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2002 | Fire | Ut - Mustang Fire - 07/01/2002 |
| 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 Daggett County?
Daggett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 4th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Daggett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $304K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $539K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Daggett County compare to other Utah counties?
Daggett County ranks #25 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Daggett County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Daggett County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in April 2020.
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. Daggett County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.