Montrose County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Montrose County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.0, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Montrose County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 49th 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 53.30 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $21K in expected annual loss and about 1.44 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $378K in expected annual loss and about 1.07 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Montrose County has a 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: Montrose County has received 9 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, Montrose County ranks #24 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | High | 53.30 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.44 / yr | $21K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 1.07 / yr | $378K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $354K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $12M |
| Drought | Low | 82.30 / yr | $254K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 17.32 / yr | $54K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $219K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $39K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $77K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $53K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Montrose County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Flood (3), Biological (2), Fire (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| July 2002 | Fire | Co - Burn Canyon Fire - 07/15/02 |
| 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 Montrose County?
Montrose County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montrose County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (High, $1M EAL), Landslide (Low, $21K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $378K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montrose County compare to other Colorado counties?
Montrose County ranks #24 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Montrose County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Montrose 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. Montrose County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.