Arapahoe County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Arapahoe County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.8, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $172M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Very High | 8.62 / yr | $64M |
| Lightning | Very High | 51.51 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | High | 1.06 / yr | $22M |
| Strong Wind | High | 1.44 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $62M |
| Cold Wave | High | 1.61 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | High | 12.70 / yr | $519K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $802K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $155 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.73 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 28.81 / yr | $118K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $7K |
| 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 Arapahoe County?
Arapahoe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Arapahoe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Very High, $64M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $4M EAL), Tornado (High, $22M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Arapahoe County compare to other Colorado counties?
Arapahoe County ranks #4 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. Arapahoe County's $172M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.