Photo: Ntsimp · Public domainFEMA puts Woods Cross’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woods Cross gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #74 of 119 in Utah. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (77%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1984.
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 Woods Cross 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 Woods Cross’ grade
Earthquakes are 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Woods Cross, and Woods Cross’ rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #74 of 119 in Utah; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Woods Cross’ residents live in 4 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, Woods Cross has more expected damage per building than 62% of Utah towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Woods Cross: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Woods Cross flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Woods Cross, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Woods Cross isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Davis County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Woods Cross
Disasters that paid out in Woods Cross itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Woods Cross), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Earthquake and Aftershocks7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Davis 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Davis County, 2017–2019.
Old photos of Woods Cross after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Woods Cross archive →Woods Cross and its neighbors
Woods Cross 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 Bountiful | B−more damage than 52% | earthquakes | 4 |
| North Salt Lake | C+more damage than 57% | earthquakes | — |
| Woods Cross | Cmore damage than 66% | earthquakes | 27 |
| Bountiful | Cmore damage than 67% | earthquakes | 20 |
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 Woods Cross 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 Woods Cross
Is Woods Cross at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Woods Cross has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #74 of 119 in Utah. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (77%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Woods Cross flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Woods Cross since 1984, $514K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Woods Cross 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 Davis County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Woods Cross?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Woods Cross’ 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 Woods Cross?
By FEMA money that reached Woods Cross, Earthquake and Aftershocks (2020): 7 households applied for aid, $10K approved.
Is Woods Cross at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Woods Cross’ rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Woods Cross.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Woods Cross’ 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.