Natural Disaster Risk in Tooele

Natural Hazard Profile: Tooele, Utah

Tooele is a city of 59,706 residents in Tooele 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 Tooele.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Tooele carries an overall risk score of 5.8/10, placing it in the moderate category. Fire risk is the leading concern in the area, where seasonal drought and combustible vegetation combine to create a high-risk wildfire environment. The area also faces notable exposure to winter and volcano.

Tooele'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 Tooele County, the highest-scoring are wildfire, winter, 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, Tooele 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 wildfire is recommended.