HazardFacts

All states › Utah › Salt Lake County

Natural hazard risk in Salt Lake County, Utah

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively High (score 98.5 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$621.7 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1983
10[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$1.7 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
13[4]

FEMA rates the overall natural hazard risk for Salt Lake County as Relatively High, with a Risk Index score of 98.5 out of 100[5]. FEMA's National Risk Index gives its highest hazard scores here to earthquake, avalanche and winter weather[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA's National Risk Index estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $621.7 million a year[1]. This is a FEMA estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid[7]. The largest hazard-type values are earthquake at $487.6 million a year, inland flooding at $79.3 million a year and wildfire at $25.2 million a year[8]. FEMA rates social vulnerability Very Low for the county, with a score of 10.6[9]. FEMA rates community resilience Relatively High, with a score of 66.4[10]. FEMA says the index is not meant to predict damage in the next year[7].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
EarthquakeRelatively High$487.6 million[11]
AvalancheVery High$11.7 million[12]
Winter WeatherVery High$2.3 million[13]
WildfireRelatively High$25.2 million[14]
LightningRelatively High$2.5 million[15]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$79.3 million[16]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$6.3 million[17]
LandslideRelatively Low$53,000[18]
Volcanic ActivityVery Low$281[19]
TornadoRelatively Moderate$3.8 million[20]
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$1.4 million[21]
HailRelatively Low$754,000[22]
DroughtRelatively Low$144,000[23]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$696,000[24]
Ice StormVery Low$12,000[25]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: hurricane, tsunami[26].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityVery Low10.6[9]
Community resilienceRelatively High66.4[10]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $79.3 million a year[16]. OpenFEMA lists 813 residential flood insurance contracts in force, a penetration rate of 0.2% as of 2026-08-03[27]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 16.5% of homes are insured[27]. OpenFEMA data show 406 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $1.7 million in total[3]. To learn about a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[16] Relatively Moderate, $79.3 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[27] 813 of 324,763 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[27] 1,899, of which 313 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 406 filed, $1.7 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[28]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 10 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Salt Lake County since 1983[2]. The most recent is FM-5408-UT, Parleys Canyon Fire, declared 2021-08-14[29]. NOAA's tornado database records 13 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated F2[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Salt Lake County, since 1983
Incident type Declarations
Fire[2] 3
Flood[2] 3
Tornado[2] 1
Severe Storm[2] 1
Earthquake[2] 1
Coastal Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
FM-5408-UT[29] Parleys Canyon Fire 2021-08-14
DR-4578-UT[29] Straight-Line Winds 2021-01-12
DR-4548-UT[29] Earthquake And Aftershocks 2020-07-09
FM-2991-UT[29] Rose Crest Fire 2012-06-29
DR-4011-UT[29] Flooding 2011-08-08

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Earthquakes

Before

  • Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers.
  • Sign up for earthquake alerts that can warn you before shaking starts.
  • Make a plan with an out-of-state contact and a place to meet if you get separated.
  • Anchor heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators and water heaters, and keep heavy things on low shelves.
  • Consider earthquake insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage.

During

  • Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
  • Indoors, stay where you are and avoid doorways. Outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings and power lines.
  • If you are driving, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.

Source: Ready.gov, earthquakes

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Wildfires

Before

  • Sign up for community alerts and watch for air quality alerts.
  • Make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan, including for school, work and other places you go often.
  • Keep a fire-resistant zone of at least 30 feet around your home, clear of leaves and debris.
  • Use fire-resistant building materials and keep a hose long enough to reach every part of your property.
  • Pick a room you can seal off from outside air and keep a portable air cleaner ready.

During

  • Leave right away when authorities tell you to evacuate.
  • If you are trapped, call 9-1-1 with your location and turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
  • If you are not ordered to leave but there is smoke, stay in a safe indoor place or go to a community building with less smoke.

Source: Ready.gov, wildfires

Questions people ask

Is Salt Lake County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively High compared with other US counties, with a score of 99.6[11]. FEMA estimates earthquake Expected Annual Loss at $487.6 million a year[11].
Is Salt Lake County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[16]. To check a flood zone for an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].
Is Salt Lake County at risk of hurricanes?
FEMA rates hurricane Not Applicable for the county, which it uses when source data has no historical record and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there[26].
How many disasters have been declared in Salt Lake County?
OpenFEMA lists 10 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1983[2].
Is Salt Lake County at risk of wildfire?
FEMA rates wildfire risk Relatively High compared with other US counties, with an Expected Annual Loss of $25.2 million a year[14].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Salt Lake County is $621.7 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively High, score 99.3). Of this, buildings account for $311.3 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 10 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Salt Lake County since 1983 (6 major disaster, 4 emergency or fire management). By incident type: fire 3, flood 3, tornado 1, severe storm 1, earthquake 1, coastal storm 1. Biological (such as COVID-19)... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 406 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Salt Lake County, 225 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $1.7 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 13 recorded tornadoes touched Salt Lake County. The strongest were rated F2 (most recent of them on 1999-08-11). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2001-08-21. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Salt Lake County is Relatively High, with a Risk Index score of 98.5 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Salt Lake County are earthquake (99.6, Relatively High), avalanche (99.1, Very High), winter weather (98.7, Very High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Salt Lake County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are earthquake ($487.6 million a year), inland flooding ($79.3 million a year), wildfire ($25.2 million a year), out of $621.7 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Salt Lake County is Very Low (score 10.6). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Salt Lake County is Relatively High (score 66.4). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 99.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $487.6 million a year (rating Very High). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0151 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), avalanche in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 99.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $11.7 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 1.53 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 28 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 98.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.3 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 28.2 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 98.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $25.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0065 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 94.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.5 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 39.39 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 92.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $79.3 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 1.14 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record... FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 92.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.3 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.16 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 86.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $53,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), volcanic activity in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 75.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $281 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 70.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.8 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.05 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38... FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 68.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.4 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.29 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 68.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $754,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.27 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 44.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $144,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 48.75 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 32.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $696,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.06 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Salt Lake County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 13.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $12,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.01 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Salt Lake County: hurricane, tsunami. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there. FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  27. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 813 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Salt Lake County, out of 324,763 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.2%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 1,899 residential structures and 313 contracts, a... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  28. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  29. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.