Phillips County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Phillips County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.3, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Phillips County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 12.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 12th 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.
Most of Phillips County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 63.04 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $988K in expected annual loss and about 7.36 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Low risk — $704K in expected annual loss and about 2.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Phillips County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Phillips County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for biological events and 1 for coastal storm events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Phillips County ranks #47 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 63.04 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 7.36 / yr | $988K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.49 / yr | $704K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.74 / yr | $768K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $786K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.13 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.75 / yr | $95K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 9.79 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $13K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $1 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Phillips County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1), Severe Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| August 1997 | Flood | Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, Flash Floods, Flooding, Mudslides |
| June 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Phillips County?
Phillips County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 12th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Phillips County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $988K EAL), Strong Wind (Low, $704K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Phillips County compare to other Colorado counties?
Phillips County ranks #47 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Phillips County had?
FEMA records 6 federal disaster declarations for Phillips County since 1965, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for coastal storm 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. Phillips County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.