Elbert County

Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

36.6

National percentile: 37th

Elbert County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.6, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $17M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 26K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Wildfire
Medium $5M/yr
Hail
Medium $2M/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $252K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Wildfire Medium 0.00 / yr $5M
Hail Medium 8.02 / yr $2M
Winter Weather Medium 14.67 / yr $252K
Cold Wave Low 1.82 / yr $1M
Tornado Low 2.17 / yr $2M
Lightning Low 53.49 / yr $254K
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $6
Drought Low 42.58 / yr $54K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $133K
Landslide Very Low 0.45 / yr $523
Riverine Flood Very Low 0.82 / yr $5M
Strong Wind Low 1.25 / yr $390K
Ice Storm Very Low 0.03 / yr $23K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.31 / yr $23K
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Elbert County?

Elbert County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Elbert County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $5M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $252K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Elbert County compare to other Colorado counties?

Elbert County ranks #34 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Elbert County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.