Fremont County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 69th
Fremont County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.6, 69th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Fremont County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 68.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 69th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 65.35 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $80K in expected annual loss and about 0.77 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 49K.
Beyond physical exposure, Fremont County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Fremont County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 5 for fire events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Fremont County ranks #14 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 65.35 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $80K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.44 / yr | $221K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.46 / yr | $885K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $16M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $133K |
| Drought | Low | 51.10 / yr | $49K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.35 / yr | $179K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.31 / yr | $441K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $94 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.34 / yr | $199K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.62 / yr | $107K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Fremont County has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Fire (5), Flood (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| July 2013 | Fire | Royal Gorge Fire |
| June 2013 | Fire | Royal Gorge Fire |
| June 2011 | Fire | Duckett Fire |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2003 | Snowstorm | Snow |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Fremont County?
Fremont County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 69th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Fremont County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $80K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Fremont County compare to other Colorado counties?
Fremont County ranks #14 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Fremont County had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Fremont County since 1965, most often 5 for fire events and 3 for flood 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. Fremont County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.