Natural Disaster Risk in La Sal
Utah
Risk Summary for La Sal
La Sal scores 5.7/10 (Moderate risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Average risk — standard coverage usually sufficient
This area carries average natural disaster risk. A standard homeowners or renters policy should cover common events, but review the exclusions for floods and earthquakes, which are almost never included by default.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: La Sal, Utah
La Sal is a small unincorporated community in San Juan County, in the Great Plains. The area experiences dry conditions, hot summers, and heavy mountain snowfall, with significant avalanche risk in mountain terrain each winter shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in La Sal.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, La Sal carries an overall risk score of 5.7/10, placing it in the moderate category. Slope instability and debris flows are the primary natural hazard, driven by a combination of local geology, precipitation intensity, and terrain that creates susceptibility to failure. The area also faces notable exposure to avalanche and volcano.
La Sal's risk score, near 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 San Juan County, the highest-scoring are landslide, avalanche, and volcano. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a moderate risk rating, La Sal residents are well-served by maintaining standard preparedness practices — an emergency supply kit, awareness of local hazard seasonality, and insurance that covers the top local risks. Periodic review of coverage for landslide is recommended.
What this means for La Sal: Landslide preparedness
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
Local Factors for La Sal
These city-level factors differentiate La Sal from other communities in San Juan County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
402
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 38.2°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 8.5/10
Coordinates
38.2374° N, 109.4085° W
San Juan County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for La Sal
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in La Sal
Other cities in Utah
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.