Photo: Chadthomas2013 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Layton faces less hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Layton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #30 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1983.
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 Layton 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 Layton’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Layton, and Layton’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts).
B #30 of 119 in Utah; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Layton’s residents live in 24 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, Layton has less expected damage per building than 75% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $25.0M a year in losses across Layton: $11.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Layton flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Layton, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Layton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davis County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Layton
Disasters that paid out in Layton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Layton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Earthquake and Aftershocks18 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Davis County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Davis County, 2017–2019.
Old photos of Layton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Layton archive →Layton and its neighbors
Layton is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Weber | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Kaysville | B+less damage than 67% | earthquakes | 7 |
| Layton | Bless damage than 63% | earthquakes | 6 |
| Clearfield | B−less damage than 52% | earthquakes | — |
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 Layton 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 Layton
Is Layton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Layton has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #30 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Layton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Layton since 1983, $9K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Layton 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 Davis County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Layton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Layton’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 Layton?
By FEMA money that reached Layton, Earthquake and Aftershocks (2020): 18 households applied for aid, $10K approved.
Is Layton at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Layton’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Layton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Layton’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.