Summit County
Colorado — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Summit County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.2, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by avalanche and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $30M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Avalanche | Very High | 1.07 / yr | $11M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.49 / yr | $137K |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.95 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 2.33 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 36.82 / yr | $221K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.04 / yr | $15M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $326K |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $382K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $22K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.42 / yr | $232K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $34K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 37.61 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Summit County?
Summit County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Summit County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very High, $11M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $137K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Summit County compare to other Colorado counties?
Summit County ranks #16 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. Summit County's $30M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.