Gunnison County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Gunnison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.0, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Gunnison County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 45th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $590K in expected annual loss and about 2.10 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 1.27 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $262K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $21M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gunnison County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gunnison County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 2 for biological events and 2 for fire events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Gunnison County ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.10 / yr | $590K |
| Avalanche | Very High | 1.27 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $262K |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.72 / yr | $542K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $12M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $246K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 40.66 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Low | 63.44 / yr | $61K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $62K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $14K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $41K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gunnison County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| April 2003 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| June 2002 | Fire | Co-Wiley Ridge Fire-06/23/02 |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| July 1973 | Flood | Flooding & Landslides |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gunnison County?
Gunnison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gunnison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $590K EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $7M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $262K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gunnison County compare to other Colorado counties?
Gunnison County ranks #29 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gunnison County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Gunnison County since 1973, most often 2 for biological events and 2 for fire 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. Gunnison County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.