Photo: An Errant Knight · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, West Jordan faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Jordan gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #36 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (58%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 West Jordan 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 West Jordan’s grade
Earthquakes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Jordan, and West Jordan’s rate of earthquakes damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #36 of 119 in Utah; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Jordan’s residents live in 28 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, West Jordan has less expected damage per building than 70% of Utah towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, West Jordan has lower expected damage per building than 70% (#119 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $36.8M, is the 317th largest of those 400.
Does West Jordan flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Jordan, 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.
West Jordan 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 West Jordan
Disasters that paid out in West Jordan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Jordan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Earthquake and Aftershocks48 households applied for aid$26K 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 West Jordan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Jordan archive →West Jordan and its neighbors
West Jordan is 2nd of the 8 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 Jordan | B+less damage than 66% | earthquakes | 1 |
| West Jordan | Bless damage than 59% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Kearns | B−more damage than 53% | earthquakes | — |
| Sandy | B−more damage than 55% | earthquakes | 4 |
| Midvale | Cmore damage than 74% | earthquakes | — |
| Taylorsville | C−more damage than 75% | earthquakes | 1 |
| West Valley City | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Murray | C−more damage than 85% | earthquakes | 36 |
| Copperton | — | not graded yet | |
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 West Jordan 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 West Jordan
Is West Jordan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Jordan has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #36 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (58%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Jordan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in West Jordan since 1982, $14K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is West Jordan 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 West Jordan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Jordan’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 West Jordan?
By FEMA money that reached West Jordan, Earthquake and Aftershocks (2020): 48 households applied for aid, $26K approved.
Is West Jordan at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and West Jordan’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Jordan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Jordan’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.