San Juan County, Utah
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 49037 · population 14,449 · 7,824 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,389 records for San Juan County, Utah from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 829 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (506 records). 1,172 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest single record is the July 17, 2022 excessive heat, filed for the forecast zone Canyonlands / Natural Bridges, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 6 declarations naming the county since 1977, 4 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Deer Creek Fire” on July 12, 2025.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 1,389on 829 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 51 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $19Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 7strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 6latest 2025
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit San Juan County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 506 since 1996. 42% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The rank column places the county among Utah's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 506 | 395 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $25K | 24 of 29 |
| Drought | 471 | 182 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 4 of 29 |
| Extreme cold | 98 | 67 | 1998-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 of 29 |
| Floods | 70 | 57 | 1996-2025 | 1 | 1 | $2.9M | 19 of 29 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 41 | 37 | 2000-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 7 of 29 |
| High wind and dust storms | 35 | 30 | 1999-2026 | 0 | 0 | $59K | 29 of 29 |
| Wildfires | 34 | 32 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 0 | $15M | 11 of 29 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 33 | 21 | 2005-2022 | 2 | 0 | $72K | 20 of 29 |
| Hail | 32 | 17 | 1957-2024 | 0 | 0 | $76K | 27 of 29 |
| Heavy rain | 31 | 27 | 1998-2018 | 0 | 0 | $51K | 6 of 29 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 22 | 18 | 1983-2025 | 0 | 0 | $320K | 28 of 29 |
| Heat | 7 | 5 | 2005-2022 | 2 | 0 | – | 12 of 29 |
| Tornadoes | 7 | 6 | 2015-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 23 of 29 |
| Lightning | 2 | 2 | 2003-2009 | 0 | 0 | $139K | 19 of 29 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has San Juan County had?
NOAA records 7 tornadoes in San Juan County from 2015 to 2025, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 7 tornadoes whose track touched San Juan County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 7, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Utah.
Every tornado record filed for San Juan County (7)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-13 | Montezuma Creek, San Juan County | EFU 0.25 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-09-13 | Montezuma Creek, San Juan County | EF2 1.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-07-12 | La Sal, San Juan County | EF2 0.1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-06-05 | Grand Co Airport, San Juan County | EFU 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-07-20 | Verdure, San Juan County | EFU 0.1 mi x 10 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2024-06-21 | La Sal Jct, San Juan County | EFU 0.5 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2015-06-06 | Mexican Hat, San Juan County | EF0 1.24 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in San Juan County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the June 13, 2025 wildfire ($10.0 million in damage in 2025 dollars).
The Bridge Creek Fire started in mid June due to a lightning strike on the north side of Navajo Mountain, which is about 55 miles northwest of Page, Arizona. The fire grew to 2,588 acres before it was contained in mid to late July. The estimated final cost was $10 million. This fire is located in San Juan County, Utah near or along the border with WFO SLC.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1274963)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 | Winter WeatherGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtSan Juan County · forecast zone Canyonlands / Natural Bridges | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtSan Juan County · forecast zone Southeast Utah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | Heavy SnowGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-31 | Heavy SnowGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-31 | DroughtSan Juan County · forecast zone Southeast Utah | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-31 | DroughtSan Juan County · forecast zone Canyonlands / Natural Bridges | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-31 | DroughtGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-06 | Winter WeatherGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-20 | Winter WeatherSan Juan County · forecast zone Canyonlands / Natural Bridges | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-19 | Winter StormGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-17 | Excessive HeatSan Juan County · forecast zone Canyonlands / Natural Bridges High temperatures of 98 to 104 degrees were reported by various automated weather stations. On the evening of Sunday, July 17, Canyonlands National Park staff received a report of a missing male subject who was overdue after attempting a short hike from Elephant Hill in the Needles District that afternoon. The body of ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2019-01-25 | AvalancheGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains On the afternoon of January 25, a snowmobiler was buried in an avalanche in Dark Canyon, in the La Sal Mountains of southeastern Utah. His party attempted a rescue but they were unable to locate him and night was falling. Plans were made for search and rescue efforts to resume the following day. On Saturday, January ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-03-03 | AvalancheGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains A group of four snowmobile riders were heading into the Beaver Basin area and noticed the snow pack becoming increasingly unstable by the late morning hours. The group found a turn-around point in a nearby meadow which was in the avalanche zone. The last rider heading to the meadow turn-around point was caught by a ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2005-07-12 | HeatGarfield County and 2 more · forecast zone Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell Excessive heat likely led to the death of a hiker in Glen Canyon. Temperatures reached 110 deg during the afternoon. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1996-09-14 | Flash FloodWhite Canyon, San Juan County Heavy downpours continued across southern Utah. A flash flood developed in the "Black Hole" portion of White Canyon, about 10 miles northwest of Natural Bridges National Monument. The flood waters claimed the life of a 16 year old girl. Six other members of the hiking group were trapped on a ledge until the waters ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2002-08-29 | Flash FloodGoulding, San Juan County Heavy rains produced flash flooding which destroyed large sections of three paved county roads and flooded the football field at the Monument Valley High School. Combined destruction of the paved roads was about one mile in length. Road crews moved mud at least a foot deep off of other stretches of the county roads, ... | 0 | 1 | $492K |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-13 | WildfireSan Juan County · forecast zone Southeast Utah | 0 | 0 | $10M | |
| 2024-10-13 | WildfireGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | $2.8M | |
| 2021-07-01 | WildfireGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2003-09-09 | Flash FloodBluff, San Juan County | 0 | 0 | $1.6M | |
| 2002-08-29 | Flash FloodGoulding, San Juan County | 0 | 1 | $492K | |
| 2024-07-05 | WildfireGrand County and San Juan County · forecast zone La Sal & Abajo Mountains | 0 | 0 | $470K | |
| 2006-06-07 | Thunderstorm WindBlanding, San Juan County | 55 kt wind | 0 | 0 | $256K |
| 2025-06-04 | Flash FloodGrand Co Airport, San Juan County | 0 | 0 | $50K |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for San Juan County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 13 | 176 | 217 | 100 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 221 | 152 | 98 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 27 | 33 | 36 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 4 | 25 | 30 | 11 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 0 | 8 | 21 | 12 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 1 | 11 | 11 | 12 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
42% of its winter storm records since 1996 fell in December and January. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 171 · Feb 145 · Mar 130 · Apr 123 · May 61 · Jun 79 · Jul 109 · Aug 98 · Sep 106 · Oct 103 · Nov 103 · Dec 161 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for San Juan County
FEMA's register lists 6 declarations that include San Juan County: one major disaster, 3 emergencies and 2 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (2) and biological (2).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-12 | FM-5598 | Fire | Deer Creek Fire |
| 2021-06-10 | FM-5391 | Fire | Pack Creek Fire |
| 2020-04-04 | DR-4525 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3478 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3223 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 1977-01-20 | EM-3024 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for San Juan County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates San Juan County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $5.0 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landslide | Relatively High | $492K | 3.8 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively High | $913K | once in about 15 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $135K | 10 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $428K | 47 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $298K | once in about 631 years (modeled) |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $776K | 1.2 modeled event-days a year |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $130K | 133 modeled event-days a year |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $211K | once in about 824 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with San Juan County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in UtahEvery Utah tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in UtahThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Utah recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in San Juan CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download San Juan County's FEMA declarations (CSV)6 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis