Rio Grande County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Rio Grande County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.8, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $55K |
| Drought | High | 75.34 / yr | $1M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.07 / yr | $959K |
| Lightning | High | 54.48 / yr | $532K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $448K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.82 / yr | $705K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.14 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 16.73 / yr | $31K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $40K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $73K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $9K |
| 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 Rio Grande County?
Rio Grande County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rio Grande County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $55K EAL), Drought (High, $1M EAL), Avalanche (High, $959K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rio Grande County compare to other Colorado counties?
Rio Grande County ranks #28 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. Rio Grande County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.