La Plata County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
La Plata County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.2, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
La Plata County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 75th 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 wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.47 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $51K in expected annual loss and about 0.72 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, La Plata County has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: La Plata County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 4 for fire events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, La Plata County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $11M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $51K |
| Lightning | High | 65.36 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.89 / yr | $24M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $975K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 28.37 / yr | $121K |
| Drought | Low | 68.14 / yr | $142K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $181K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $90K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $10K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55 |
| Coastal Flood | 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
La Plata County has received 10 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Fire (4), Biological (2), Flood (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Valley Fire |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| June 2002 | Fire | Missionary Ridge Fire |
| June 2002 | Fire | Ute Pass Fire |
| 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 La Plata County?
La Plata County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in La Plata County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (Medium, $11M EAL), Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $51K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does La Plata County compare to other Colorado counties?
La Plata County ranks #12 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has La Plata County had?
FEMA records 10 federal disaster declarations for La Plata County since 1970, most often 4 for fire 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. La Plata County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.