Routt County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 33th
Routt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 33.4, 33th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Routt County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 33.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 33rd 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 Routt County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $86K in expected annual loss and about 1.43 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $645K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 25K.
Beyond physical exposure, Routt County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Routt County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, 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, Routt County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.43 / yr | $86K |
| Avalanche | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $645K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 45.65 / yr | $180K |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.06 / yr | $634K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.79 / yr | $13M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $356K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6 |
| Drought | Low | 59.60 / yr | $49K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $21K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $107K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.18 / yr | $53K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $21K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Routt County has received 6 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Coastal Storm (1), Fire (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| July 1984 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| January 1977 | Drought | Drought |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Routt County?
Routt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 33.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 33th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Routt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $86K EAL), Avalanche (Medium, $1M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $645K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Routt County compare to other Colorado counties?
Routt County ranks #37 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Routt County had?
FEMA records 6 federal disaster declarations for Routt County since 1977, 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. Routt County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.