Uintah County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 4th
Uintah County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 4.0, 4th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Uintah County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 4.0 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 Uintah County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 3.08 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $260K 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 — $429K in expected annual loss and about 44.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 36K.
Beyond physical exposure, Uintah County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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 federal record bears this out: Uintah County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 3 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 29 Utah counties, Uintah County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 3.08 / yr | $47K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $260K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.90 / yr | $429K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $535K |
| Drought | Low | 97.38 / yr | $218K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $456 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $147K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.00 / yr | $29K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $186K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.64 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $81K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $16K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $47K |
| Coastal Flood | 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
Uintah County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| June 2007 | Fire | Neola North Fire |
| 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 Uintah County?
Uintah County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 4.0 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 Uintah County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $47K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $260K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $429K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Uintah County compare to other Utah counties?
Uintah County ranks #24 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Uintah County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Uintah County since 1977, most often 3 for flood events and 2 for biological 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. Uintah County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.