Kane County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Kane County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.7, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Kane County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $134K in expected annual loss and about 3.33 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, Kane County has a low 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: Kane County has received 8 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, Kane County ranks #11 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 3.33 / yr | $134K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $3M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $251 |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.65 / yr | $607K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.80 / yr | $122K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $2K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.89 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $148K |
| Drought | Very Low | 106.60 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $21 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $2K |
| 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
Kane County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2012 | Fire | Shingle Fire |
| February 2011 | Flood | Severe Winter Storm and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2005 | Flood | Flooding and Landslides |
| February 2005 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Kane County?
Kane County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Kane County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $134K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Kane County compare to other Utah counties?
Kane County ranks #11 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Kane County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Kane 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. Kane County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.