More hazard damage per building is expected in East Basin than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Basin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #87 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (58%), then river and rain flooding (38%). 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 East Basin faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 East Basin’s grade
Wildfire is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Basin, and East Basin’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 38% (lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
C #87 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Basin’s residents live in 2 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, East Basin has more expected damage per building than 73% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across East Basin: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Basin flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in East Basin. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
East Basin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.The storms East Basin remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Summit County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching East Basin itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Summit County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Summit County, 2013–2026.
East Basin and its neighbors
East Basin has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Basin | Cmore damage than 75% | wildfire | 0 |
| Snyderville | C−more damage than 75% | wildfire | 1 |
| Silver Summit | Dmore damage than 88% | wildfire | — |
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 East Basin faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 East Basin
Is East Basin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Basin has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #87 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (58%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is East Basin 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 Summit County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Basin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Basin’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is East Basin at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and East Basin’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Basin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Basin’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.