Laramie County, Wyoming Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · WY
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Laramie County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.7, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $42M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Laramie County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 20.93 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 3.40 events per year; and hail (ice stones from severe thunderstorms that damage property and crops) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.90 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $42M in expected annual loss for a population of 100K.
Beyond physical exposure, Laramie County has a 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.
History supports the rating: Laramie County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1979, including 2 for biological events and 1 for fire events. The most recent was Happy Jack Fire (fire), declared in March 2024.
Among 23 Wyoming counties, Laramie County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 20.93 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.40 / yr | $11M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.90 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.03 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | High | 52.38 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 1.61 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $903K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.04 / yr | $13M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $914 |
| Drought | Very Low | 53.98 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $66K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / 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
Laramie County has received 5 federal disaster declarations since 1979, most recently Happy Jack Fire in March 2024. Most frequent causes: Biological (2), Fire (1), Flood (1).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Fire | Happy Jack Fire |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| August 1985 | Flood | Severe Storms, Hail & Flooding |
| July 1979 | Tornado | Severe Storms & Tornadoes |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Laramie County?
Laramie County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Laramie County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $11M EAL), Hail (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Laramie County compare to other Wyoming counties?
Laramie County ranks #1 of 23 Wyoming counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Laramie County had?
FEMA records 5 federal disaster declarations for Laramie County since 1979, most often 2 for biological events and 1 for fire events. The most recent was Happy Jack Fire, declared in March 2024.
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. Laramie County's $42M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.