Cheyenne County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Cheyenne County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.0, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cheyenne County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 3.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $784K in expected annual loss and about 84.24 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Low risk — $416K in expected annual loss and about 6.25 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $645K in expected annual loss and about 5.16 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cheyenne County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Cheyenne County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for biological events and 1 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (flood), declared in August 2023.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Cheyenne County ranks #63 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 84.24 / yr | $784K |
| Hail | Low | 6.25 / yr | $416K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 5.16 / yr | $645K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.90 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $174K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.49 / yr | $131K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.96 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $723K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $2K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $1K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $2 |
| 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 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cheyenne County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (1), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| June 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cheyenne County?
Cheyenne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cheyenne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $784K EAL), Hail (Low, $416K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $645K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cheyenne County compare to other Colorado counties?
Cheyenne County ranks #63 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cheyenne County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Cheyenne County since 1965, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared in August 2023.
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. Cheyenne County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.