Larimer County

Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

90.1

National percentile: 90th

Larimer County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.1, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hail exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $127M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $127M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience High Capacity to recover
Population 359K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Lightning
Very High $7M/yr
Hail
High $11M/yr
Winter Weather
Very High $2M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Lightning Very High 56.90 / yr $7M
Hail High 4.38 / yr $11M
Winter Weather Very High 22.30 / yr $2M
Wildfire High 0.00 / yr $15M
Landslide Medium 1.14 / yr $491K
Cold Wave High 0.56 / yr $16M
Avalanche High 0.20 / yr $3M
Tornado High 1.30 / yr $11M
Riverine Flood Medium 2.07 / yr $54M
Strong Wind High 0.88 / yr $3M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $3M
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.00 / yr $69
Heat Wave Low 0.18 / yr $817K
Ice Storm Low 0.02 / yr $132K
Drought Low 18.06 / yr $182K
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 Larimer County?

Larimer County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.1 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Larimer County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Very High, $7M EAL), Hail (High, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Larimer County compare to other Colorado counties?

Larimer County ranks #7 of 64 Colorado counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Larimer County's $127M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.