Chaffee County Disaster Risk
Chaffee County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#21
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
65th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chaffee County, Colorado
Chaffee's risk exceeds the national average
Chaffee County scores 51.11 on composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category but well above the nation's average. This means residents face a meaningful but manageable combination of natural hazards compared to typical American counties.
Above-average risk for Colorado
At 51.11, Chaffee's composite risk score significantly outpaces Colorado's state average of 40.67. The county ranks in the upper half of Colorado's 64 counties for disaster exposure.
Riskier than nearby mountain counties
Chaffee faces notably higher composite risk (51.11) compared to Clear Creek County (46.72) to the north and Custer County (3.91) to the south. The variation reflects Chaffee's particular vulnerability to flooding and wildfires.
Wildfire and flood dominate the threat picture
Chaffee's wildfire risk scores 71.69 and flood risk 64.69—both well above state averages. Tornado risk is minimal at 12.72, making flood and fire the two hazards requiring serious preparedness.
Prioritize flood and wildfire coverage now
Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage; securing a separate flood insurance policy is essential given your county's 64.69 flood risk score. Review your wildfire mitigation coverage and ensure your home meets current building codes in fire-prone zones.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chaffee County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chaffee County
Risk Verdict
Chaffee County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 51th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Chaffee County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Chaffee County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 72th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 65th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (40th percentile), tornado (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire is Chaffee County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 72th percentile nationally. Chaffee County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary flood exposure at the 65th percentile nationally means Chaffee County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Chaffee County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.
Regional Context
Chaffee County's composite risk score sits 10.4 points above the Colorado county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Chaffee County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chaffee County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Chaffee County?
How does Chaffee County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Chaffee County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Chaffee County higher risk than average?
Data Source
Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.
Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.