El Paso County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
El Paso County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 94.1, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $213M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 14.54 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $42M |
| Hail | High | 6.68 / yr | $18M |
| Lightning | Very High | 59.33 / yr | $6M |
| Tornado | High | 1.48 / yr | $25M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 4.11 / yr | $105M |
| Strong Wind | High | 0.88 / yr | $3M |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.03 / yr | $457K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.73 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.60 / yr | $4M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $172 |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $234K |
| Drought | Low | 47.54 / yr | $140K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.50 / yr | $1K |
| 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 El Paso County?
El Paso County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 94.1 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 El Paso County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $5M EAL), Wildfire (High, $42M EAL), Hail (High, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does El Paso County compare to other Colorado counties?
El Paso County ranks #3 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. El Paso County's $213M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.