Adams County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Adams County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.2, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $131M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Very High | 8.16 / yr | $44M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 12.43 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.61 / yr | $21M |
| Lightning | Very High | 49.94 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 1.53 / yr | $13M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.45 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.64 / yr | $39M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $571K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.76 / yr | $2M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $123 |
| Drought | Low | 25.62 / yr | $470K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $178K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $761 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Adams County?
Adams County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Adams County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Very High, $44M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $21M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Adams County compare to other Colorado counties?
Adams County ranks #5 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Adams County's $131M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.