Uinta County, Wyoming Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WY
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Uinta County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.7, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Uinta County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 Uinta County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $371K in expected annual loss and about 21.48 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $739K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 0.89 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $8M in expected annual loss for a population of 20K.
Beyond physical exposure, Uinta County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Uinta County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 2 for biological events and 1 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in April 2020.
Among 23 Wyoming counties, Uinta County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 21.48 / yr | $371K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $739K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.89 / yr | $19K |
| Lightning | Medium | 39.91 / yr | $547K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $719K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $5M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $293K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.31 / yr | $230K |
| Drought | Very Low | 81.60 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $87K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $26K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Uinta County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in April 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (1), Severe Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2016 | Fire | Tokawana Fire |
| July 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides |
| June 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Uinta County?
Uinta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Uinta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $371K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $739K EAL), Landslide (Low, $19K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Uinta County compare to other Wyoming counties?
Uinta County ranks #19 of 23 Wyoming counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Uinta County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Uinta County since 1977, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for fire 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. Uinta County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.