Rio Blanco County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Rio Blanco County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.6, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 3.95 / yr | $94K |
| Avalanche | High | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.30 / yr | $737K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.11 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $148K |
| Drought | Low | 82.82 / yr | $36K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $36K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.22 / yr | $76K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 27.32 / yr | $6K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $17K |
| Heat Wave | 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rio Blanco County?
Rio Blanco County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rio Blanco County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $94K EAL), Avalanche (High, $2M EAL), Wildfire (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rio Blanco County compare to other Colorado counties?
Rio Blanco County ranks #32 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. Rio Blanco County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.