riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Cheyenne County Disaster Risk

Cheyenne County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

3th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

4th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 4% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 15% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 8% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Cheyenne County, Colorado

Cheyenne County faces minimal disaster risk

With a composite risk score of just 3.02, Cheyenne ranks in the very low category—far safer than the typical American county. This eastern plains county experiences one of the lowest natural hazard exposures in the nation.

Colorado's safest counties include Cheyenne

Cheyenne's 3.02 score places it among the lowest-risk counties in Colorado, well below the state average of 40.67. Residents here enjoy significantly lower disaster exposure than most of their state neighbors.

Safest county on the eastern plains

Cheyenne (3.02) is substantially safer than Crowley County to the west (3.88) and comparable to other plains counties. The flat terrain and distance from mountain ranges shield this county from major natural hazards.

Wildfire is the one measurable concern

Even Cheyenne's highest-risk hazard—wildfire at 30.38—remains well below county and state averages. Tornado risk is low at 15.17, and flood risk minimal at 3.98.

Standard coverage likely sufficient here

Your county's very low risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically covers your major exposures. Still review your policy annually and consider brush management around structures as a low-cost preventive measure.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Cheyenne County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    30th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    15th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    8th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Cheyenne County

Risk Verdict

At the 3th percentile nationally, Cheyenne County experiences relatively limited natural hazard pressure compared to most of the country. At the 3th percentile, Cheyenne County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Cheyenne County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 15th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (8th percentile), flood (4th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Cheyenne County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 30th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Cheyenne County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's tornado exposure at the 15th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Cheyenne County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.

Regional Context

A composite score 37.6 points below the Colorado state average puts Cheyenne County in a better-than-typical position relative to neighboring counties.

Is your household prepared for Cheyenne County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cheyenne County, CO?
Cheyenne County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 3th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Cheyenne County?
Cheyenne County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (30th percentile), tornado (15th percentile), earthquake (8th percentile), flooding (4th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 30th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Cheyenne County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Cheyenne County's composite risk percentile is 3th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Cheyenne County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Cheyenne County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Cheyenne County's wildfire risk is at the 30th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Cheyenne County is at the 4th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Cheyenne County a safe place to live?
Cheyenne County's composite risk score of 3th percentile is below the Colorado state average of 41th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is wildfire at the 30th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

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.