Costilla County Disaster Risk
Costilla County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
7th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#54
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
17th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 73% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 7% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Costilla County, Colorado
Costilla County is exceptionally safe
Costilla's composite risk score of 6.55 places it in the very low category, among the safest counties in the nation. Despite its mountain location, the county faces minimal overall natural disaster exposure.
One of Colorado's safest counties
Costilla's 6.55 score is well below Colorado's 40.67 state average, ranking it near the bottom of the state's 64 counties for disaster risk. Residents enjoy exceptional safety compared to state peers.
Safest county in the south-central region
Costilla (6.55) is substantially safer than Conejos to the east (22.93) and Chaffee to the north (51.11). Its isolation and topography provide natural protection from major hazards.
Wildfire is the primary concern
Costilla's wildfire risk of 73.12 is its only notable hazard, reflecting forest coverage in the San Isabel area. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all remain minimal, below 37.
Basic coverage suffices for most residents
Standard homeowners insurance covers your main exposures, though wildfire coverage should be verified given your county's 73.12 score. Property owners in forested areas should maintain defensible space as an inexpensive risk reduction strategy.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Costilla County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Costilla County
Risk Verdict
Costilla County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 7th percentile nationally. Residents of Costilla County can use the 7th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Costilla County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 73th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (17th percentile), tornado (7th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 73th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Costilla County households benefit from creating defensible space — a buffer of reduced vegetation around structures — and reviewing whether homeowners insurance covers wildfire damage in this region. The county's earthquake exposure at the 37th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Enrolling in the county's wireless emergency alert system and keeping a vehicle at least half-full during peak fire season are low-cost habits that dramatically reduce evacuation lag time for Costilla County residents.
Regional Context
Costilla County falls 34.1 points below Colorado's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.
Is your household prepared for Costilla County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Costilla County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Costilla County?
How does Costilla County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Costilla County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Costilla County a safe place to live?
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.