Clear Creek County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Clear Creek County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.7, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Clear Creek County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.87 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $64K in expected annual loss and about 0.35 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clear Creek County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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 federal record bears this out: Clear Creek County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Clear Creek County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 0.87 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.01 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.35 / yr | $64K |
| Hail | Medium | 5.87 / yr | $965K |
| Lightning | Medium | 63.98 / yr | $639K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $7M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 36.41 / yr | $47K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $300K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $106K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.33 / yr | $10K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.40 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Clear Creek County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (4), Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2003 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| August 1997 | Flood | Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, Flash Floods, Flooding, Mudslides |
| May 1969 | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clear Creek County?
Clear Creek County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clear Creek County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $8M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $4M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $64K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clear Creek County compare to other Colorado counties?
Clear Creek County ranks #27 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clear Creek County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Clear Creek County since 1969, most often 4 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic, declared in March 2020.
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. Clear Creek County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.