William and Julia Lyman House · Photo: Ntsimp · CC0For wildfire, Parowan’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parowan gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #61 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%), then earthquakes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Parowan faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
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 Parowan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 39% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parowan, and Parowan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 26%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #61 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Parowan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Utah town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Parowan has more expected damage per building than 51% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Parowan: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parowan flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parowan, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parowan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iron County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Parowan
Disasters that paid out in Parowan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Parowan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Flooding and Landslides$35K to the City of Parowan for repairs
Iron County has had 3 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Iron County, 2017–2017.
Old photos of Parowan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parowan archive →Get ready for what Parowan faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Parowan
Is Parowan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parowan has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #61 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (39%) and earthquakes (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parowan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Parowan since 2007, $6K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Parowan 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 Iron County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Parowan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parowan’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 Parowan?
By FEMA money that reached Parowan, Flooding and Landslides (2005): $35K to the City of Parowan for repairs.
Is Parowan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (39%), and Parowan’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parowan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parowan’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.