Clear Creek County Disaster Risk
Clear Creek County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
47th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
40th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 40% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 94% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Clear Creek County, Colorado
Clear Creek's wildfire risk stands out nationally
Clear Creek County scores 46.72 composite risk, placing it in the relatively low category, but its wildfire risk of 93.99 is exceptionally high even by national standards. The mountain terrain and forest coverage create significant fire exposure despite overall moderate risk.
Middle-of-the-pack risk for Colorado
Clear Creek's 46.72 composite score sits just slightly above Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it in the mid-range of the state's 64 counties. The county's fire risk, however, is among Colorado's highest.
More fire risk than Chaffee, less overall risk
Clear Creek's wildfire score of 93.99 exceeds Chaffee County's 71.69 and Custer's 81.62, making it the fire hotspot of the northern mountain region. Its composite risk (46.72) remains lower than Chaffee's (51.11) but higher than Custer's (3.91).
Wildfire is an urgent, concrete threat
Clear Creek's wildfire risk of 93.99 far outweighs all other hazards; flood risk is moderate at 40.04, while tornado and earthquake risks are minimal. Current forest conditions and past burn patterns put many homes in active wildland-urban interface zones.
Wildfire insurance and defensible space are critical
Ensure your homeowners policy includes wildfire coverage and review replacement cost limits—rebuilding in fire zones is expensive. Create and maintain at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home by removing dead trees and pruning lower branches.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Clear Creek County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Clear Creek County
Risk Verdict
Clear Creek County's FEMA risk score places it at the 47th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. Clear Creek County's 47th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Clear Creek County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (26th percentile), tornado (19th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Clear Creek County sits at the 94th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Clear Creek County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 40th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. In Clear Creek County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Colorado county average is 6.1 composite points below Clear Creek County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Clear Creek County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Clear Creek County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Clear Creek County?
How does Clear Creek County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Clear Creek County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Clear Creek 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.