Washington County
Utah — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Washington County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 92.8, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $148M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.02 / yr | $68M |
| Lightning | Very High | 41.36 / yr | $6M |
| Landslide | High | 2.64 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 6.68 / yr | $66M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 2.54 / yr | $4M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.33 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $74 |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.01 / yr | $109K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.96 / yr | $68K |
| Drought | Low | 57.61 / yr | $69K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $127K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $17K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $18K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 92.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $68M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $6M EAL), Landslide (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Utah counties?
Washington County ranks #3 of 29 Utah counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Washington County's $148M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.