Photo: SSLaker3 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in South Salt Lake than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Salt Lake gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #108 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (83%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 South Salt Lake 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 South Salt Lake’s grade
Earthquakes are 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Salt Lake, and South Salt Lake’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 17% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #108 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Salt Lake’s residents live in 6 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, South Salt Lake has more expected damage per building than 91% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.8M a year in losses across South Salt Lake: $13.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Salt Lake flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Salt Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Salt Lake 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 South Salt Lake
Disasters that paid out in South Salt Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Salt Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Straight-line Winds$94K to the City of South Salt Lake for repairs
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 South Salt Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Salt Lake archive →South Salt Lake and its neighbors
South Salt Lake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley City | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 2 |
| 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 South Salt Lake 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 South Salt Lake
Is South Salt Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Salt Lake has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #108 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (83%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Salt Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Salt Lake since 2023, $2K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Salt Lake 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 South Salt Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Salt Lake’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 South Salt Lake?
By FEMA money that reached South Salt Lake, Straight-line Winds (2020): $94K to the City of South Salt Lake for repairs.
Is South Salt Lake at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and South Salt Lake’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Salt Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Salt Lake’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.