Hinsdale County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 1th
Hinsdale County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.0, 1th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hinsdale County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 1st 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 Low risk — $28K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $241K in expected annual loss and about 0.90 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $65K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 788.
Beyond physical exposure, Hinsdale County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hinsdale 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, Hinsdale County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.73 / yr | $28K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.90 / yr | $241K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $65K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 57.59 / yr | $90K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 46.26 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $528 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 74.82 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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
Hinsdale 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 Hinsdale County?
Hinsdale County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 1th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hinsdale County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $28K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $241K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $65K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hinsdale County compare to other Colorado counties?
Hinsdale County ranks #64 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hinsdale County had?
FEMA records 8 federal disaster declarations for Hinsdale 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. Hinsdale County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.