Gunnison County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 45th
Gunnison County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.0, 45th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.10 / yr | $590K |
| Avalanche | Very High | 1.27 / yr | $7M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $262K |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.72 / yr | $542K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $12M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $246K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 40.66 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Low | 63.44 / yr | $61K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $62K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $41K |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $14K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $41K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gunnison County?
Gunnison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 45th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gunnison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $590K EAL), Avalanche (Very High, $7M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $262K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gunnison County compare to other Colorado counties?
Gunnison County ranks #29 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Gunnison County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.