La Plata County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.