Natural Disaster Risk in Iron County

Natural Hazard Profile: Iron County, Utah

Iron County is located in the United States in Utah, home to roughly 57,174 residents. The county experiences dry conditions, hot summers, and heavy mountain snowfall, with significant avalanche risk in mountain terrain each winter shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Iron County's composite natural disaster risk at 5.9 out of 10 — moderate risk. The threat from nearby active volcanoes tops the local risk profile, with potential hazards including ash fall that disrupts air travel and agriculture, and lava that threatens infrastructure. Residents should also account for wildfire and winter risk in their preparedness planning.

Iron County's risk score, slightly above the 5.5/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Iron County, the highest-scoring are volcano, wildfire, and winter. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Iron County's moderate risk profile means that while catastrophic events are less frequent, they do occur. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers many common hazards here, but confirming that volcano exposure is adequately protected is a worthwhile step for property owners.