Washington County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 12th
Washington County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 12.0, 12th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 6.59 / yr | $604K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.86 / yr | $611K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $71K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.68 / yr | $797K |
| Drought | Low | 52.97 / yr | $95K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 11.42 / yr | $35K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.09 / yr | $31K |
| Tornado | Low | 3.16 / yr | $481K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $13K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 48.06 / yr | $23K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.28 / 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 12.0 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 Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $604K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $611K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $71K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Colorado counties?
Washington County ranks #49 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Washington County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.