Dolores County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 11th
Dolores County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 11.3, 11th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Dolores County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 11.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 11th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $489K in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.43 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $348K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 2K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dolores County has a medium 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.
History supports the rating: Dolores County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 3 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Dolores County ranks #51 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 0.37 / yr | $489K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.43 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $348K |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.00 / yr | $540K |
| Drought | Low | 94.22 / yr | $89K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $84K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 32.17 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $21K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $5K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $6K |
| 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
Dolores County has received 8 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| July 1973 | Flood | Flooding & Landslides |
| September 1970 | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dolores County?
Dolores County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 11.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 11th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dolores County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $489K EAL), Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $348K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dolores County compare to other Colorado counties?
Dolores County ranks #51 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dolores County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Dolores County since 1970, most often 3 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. Dolores County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.