Amanda Conk Best House · Photo: Tsayrate · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Millcreek than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millcreek gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #107 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (66%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2022.
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 Millcreek 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
Wildfire
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 Millcreek’s grade
Earthquakes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Millcreek, and Millcreek’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #107 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Millcreek’s residents live in 20 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, Millcreek has more expected damage per building than 90% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $64.0M a year in losses across Millcreek: $22.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Millcreek flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2022
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Millcreek, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Millcreek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Salt Lake County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Millcreek
Disasters that paid out in Millcreek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Millcreek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Earthquake and Aftershocks2 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
Salt Lake 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 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Salt Lake County, 2010–2021.
Old photos of Millcreek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Millcreek archive →Millcreek and its neighbors
Millcreek is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville | C−more damage than 75% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Holladay | C−more damage than 79% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Murray | C−more damage than 85% | earthquakes | 36 |
| Millcreek | Dmore damage than 85% | earthquakes | 1 |
| South Salt Lake | Dmore damage than 86% | earthquakes | 1 |
| Salt Lake City | Dmore damage than 87% | earthquakes | 98 |
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 Millcreek 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.
- 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.
- 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 Millcreek
Is Millcreek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millcreek has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #107 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (66%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Millcreek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Millcreek since 2022, $21K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Millcreek 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 Salt Lake County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Millcreek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Millcreek’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 Millcreek?
By FEMA money that reached Millcreek, Earthquake and Aftershocks (2020): 2 households applied for aid, $15K approved.
Is Millcreek at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Millcreek’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Millcreek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Millcreek’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.