Garfield County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Garfield County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.6, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Garfield County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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 — $165K in expected annual loss and about 6.43 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 45.25 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $275K in expected annual loss and about 18.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Garfield 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.
History supports the rating: Garfield County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Mammoth Fire (fire), declared in June 2021.
Among 29 Utah counties, Garfield County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 6.43 / yr | $165K |
| Lightning | High | 45.25 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 18.14 / yr | $275K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.07 / yr | $913K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.35 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $300K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $188 |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $510K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 3.61 / yr | $6M |
| Drought | Low | 106.10 / yr | $38K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $30K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $1K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Garfield County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Mammoth Fire in June 2021. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | Fire | Mammoth Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| February 2011 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 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 Garfield County?
Garfield County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Garfield County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $165K EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $275K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Garfield County compare to other Utah counties?
Garfield County ranks #13 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Garfield County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Garfield County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for flood events. The most recent was Mammoth Fire, declared in June 2021.
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. Garfield County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.