Yuma County, Colorado Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CO
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Yuma County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.8, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by hail and cold wave 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 Yuma County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 37th 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 Yuma County's expected losses come from hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 7.50 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 6.58 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yuma County has a very low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Yuma County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 2 for biological events and 1 for flood events. The most recent was Covid-19 Pandemic (biological), declared in March 2020.
Among 64 Colorado counties, Yuma County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hail | Medium | 7.50 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 6.58 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.00 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.68 / yr | $132K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $112K |
| Drought | Low | 57.17 / yr | $211K |
| Tornado | Low | 2.43 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.13 / yr | $58K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.70 / yr | $122K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $205 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $10K |
| 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
Yuma County has received 7 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Flood (1), Coastal Storm (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| July 2015 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| September 2005 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2002 | Fire | Wildfires |
| May 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| June 1965 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yuma County?
Yuma County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.8 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yuma County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hail (Medium, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yuma County compare to other Colorado counties?
Yuma County ranks #33 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yuma County had?
FEMA records 7 federal disaster declarations for Yuma County since 1965, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for flood 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. Yuma County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.