Delta County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Delta County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.3, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $93K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $709K |
| Lightning | High | 58.35 / yr | $712K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.70 / yr | $311K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $11M |
| Drought | Medium | 67.69 / yr | $415K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $604K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 25.66 / yr | $41K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $183K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $47K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $8K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $79K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $44K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $18K |
| 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 Delta County?
Delta County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Delta County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $93K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $709K EAL), Lightning (High, $712K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Delta County compare to other Colorado counties?
Delta County ranks #20 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Delta County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.