Photo: Tricia Simpson · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts American Fork’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Fork gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #80 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (60%), then river and rain flooding (39%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What American Fork faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind American Fork’s grade
Earthquakes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in American Fork, and American Fork’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
C #80 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
American Fork’s residents live in 13 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Utah town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, American Fork has more expected damage per building than 67% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across American Fork: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does American Fork flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in American Fork. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
American Fork isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Utah County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to American Fork
Disasters that paid out in American Fork itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of American Fork), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Flooding$787K to the City of American Fork for repairs
- 2011Flooding$61K to the City of American Fork for repairs
Utah County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Utah County, 2001–2026.
Old photos of American Fork after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the American Fork archive →American Fork and its neighbors
American Fork is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Hills | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lindon | B−less damage than 54% | earthquakes | — |
| Highland | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Grove | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| American Fork | Cmore damage than 70% | earthquakes | 0 |
| Lehi | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what American Fork faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in American Fork
Is American Fork at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, American Fork has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #80 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (60%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is American Fork in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Utah County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in American Fork?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for American Fork’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in American Fork?
By FEMA money that reached American Fork, Flooding (2023): $787K to the City of American Fork for repairs.
Is American Fork at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and American Fork’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in American Fork.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where American Fork’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.