Prowers County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Prowers County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 48.6, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Prowers County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 48.6 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 92.05 events per year; hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 5.65 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $639K in expected annual loss and about 45.10 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 12K.
Beyond physical exposure, Prowers County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Prowers County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (flood), declared in August 2023.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Prowers County ranks #25 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 92.05 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 5.65 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 45.10 / yr | $639K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $247K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 7.32 / yr | $93K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 2.11 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.04 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 1.22 / yr | $492K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.12 / yr | $219K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $47K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $28K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $5K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Prowers County has received 9 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes in August 2023. Most frequent causes: Flood (2), Biological (2), Snowstorm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| January 2007 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 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 |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
| June 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Prowers County?
Prowers County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 48.6 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 Prowers County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hail (Medium, $1M EAL), Lightning (High, $639K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Prowers County compare to other Colorado counties?
Prowers County ranks #25 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Prowers County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for Prowers County since 1965, most often 2 for flood events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared in August 2023.
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. Prowers County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.