FEMA puts West Valley City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Valley City gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #92 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Valley City 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 West Valley City’s grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Valley City, and West Valley City’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #92 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Valley City’s residents live in 32 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 Valley City has more expected damage per building than 77% of Utah towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, West Valley City has higher expected damage per building than 69% (#275 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $82.9M, is the 148th largest of those 400.
Does West Valley City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Valley City, 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.
West Valley City 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Valley City
Disasters that paid out in West Valley City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of West Valley City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Straight-line Winds$10K to the City of West Valley City for repairs
- 2020Earthquake and Aftershocks142 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$446K to the City of West Valley City for repairs
- 2011Flooding$19K to the City of West Valley City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Valley City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Valley City archive →West Valley City and its neighbors
West Valley City is 5th of the 7 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 Jordan | Bless damage than 59% | earthquakes | 3 |
| Kearns | B−more damage than 53% | earthquakes | — |
| Magna | C+more damage than 58% | earthquakes | 2 |
| Taylorsville | C−more damage than 75% | earthquakes | 1 |
| West Valley City | C−more damage than 76% | earthquakes | 2 |
| 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 West Valley City 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 West Valley City
Is West Valley City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Valley City has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #92 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Valley City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Valley City since 2011, $6K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Valley City 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 Valley City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Valley City’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 Valley City?
By FEMA money that reached West Valley City, Earthquake and Aftershocks (2020): 142 households applied for aid, $119K approved, and $446K to the City of West Valley City for repairs.
Is West Valley City at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and West Valley City’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Valley City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Valley City’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.