Wasatch County, Utah Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · UT
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Wasatch County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.5, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wasatch County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 34th 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 Wasatch County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $240K in expected annual loss and about 1.01 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.17 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 35K.
Beyond physical exposure, Wasatch County has a very low 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: Wasatch County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding (flood), declared in December 2023.
Among 29 Utah counties, Wasatch County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.01 / yr | $240K |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Avalanche | High | 1.17 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 48.00 / yr | $751K |
| Lightning | Medium | 46.49 / yr | $769K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $667K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.71 / yr | $429K |
| Drought | Very Low | 59.24 / yr | $17K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $70K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $139K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $59K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $22K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Wasatch County has received 11 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Flooding in December 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Biological (2), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | Flood | Flooding |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2018 | Fire | Dollar Ridge Fire |
| August 2011 | Flood | Flooding |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| August 2005 | Flood | Flooding and Landslides |
| March 1986 | Flood | Heavy Rains, Snowmelt & Flooding |
| August 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| April 1983 | Flood | Severe Storms, Landslides & Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 11 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Wasatch County?
Wasatch County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wasatch County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $240K EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Avalanche (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wasatch County compare to other Utah counties?
Wasatch County ranks #14 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Wasatch County had?
FEMA records 11 federal disaster declarations for Wasatch County since 1977, most often 6 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Flooding, declared in December 2023.
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. Wasatch County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.