San Miguel County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
San Miguel County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.1, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates San Miguel County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 19.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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 San Miguel County's expected losses come from avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at High risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 1.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $51K in expected annual loss and about 0.77 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $582K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 8K.
Beyond physical exposure, San Miguel County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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: San Miguel 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, San Miguel County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | High | 1.00 / yr | $4M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.77 / yr | $51K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $582K |
| Lightning | Low | 56.76 / yr | $408K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 21.15 / yr | $74K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $5M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $123K |
| Drought | Very Low | 82.46 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $15K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $910 |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $15K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3K |
| 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
San Miguel 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 San Miguel County?
San Miguel County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in San Miguel County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (High, $4M EAL), Landslide (Low, $51K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $582K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does San Miguel County compare to other Colorado counties?
San Miguel County ranks #44 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has San Miguel County had?
FEMA records 9 federal disaster declarations for San Miguel 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. San Miguel County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.