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

Elbert County Disaster Risk

Elbert County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

37th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#34

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

30th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 32% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Elbert County, Colorado

Elbert County has low overall disaster risk

Elbert County scores 36.58 on composite disaster risk, rated Very Low—slightly below Colorado's state average of 40.67. Its rural, semi-arid character limits exposure to most major hazard categories.

Second-safest county in Colorado

Elbert ranks among Colorado's lowest-risk counties, exceeded only by Dolores. Sparse population and vast open plains reduce the concentrated impact of natural disasters.

Substantially safer than nearby Front Range

Elbert's risk score of 36.58 is dramatically lower than neighboring El Paso (94.05) and Douglas (88.71). The county sits east of the Front Range mountains, avoiding some terrain-driven hazards.

Wildfire is Elbert's primary concern

Wildfire risk in Elbert is elevated at 95.07, reflecting rangeland and grassland conditions. Flood, tornado, and earthquake risks all remain well below state averages.

Wildfire preparedness protects your investment

Elbert residents should prioritize defensible space, roof screening, and gutter maintenance to reduce wildfire vulnerability. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire; verify limits match your home's current replacement cost.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Elbert County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    95th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    32th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Elbert County

Risk Verdict

Elbert County's overall natural disaster score at the 37th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Elbert County's 37th 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 Elbert County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (32th percentile), flood (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With wildfire ranked at the 95th percentile nationally, Elbert County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Elbert County households to have on hand before fire season. A secondary tornado exposure at the 49th percentile nationally means Elbert County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Elbert County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Elbert County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.

Regional Context

Elbert County's risk score is broadly comparable to the Colorado county average, with a 4.1-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.

Is your household prepared for Elbert 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 Elbert County, CO?
Elbert County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 37th 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 Elbert County?
Elbert County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (95th percentile), tornado (49th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), flooding (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 95th 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 Elbert County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Elbert County's composite risk percentile is 37th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Elbert County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Elbert County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Elbert County's wildfire risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Elbert County is at the 30th 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 Elbert County a safe place to live?
Elbert County's composite risk score of 37th 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 95th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Yuma County

Colorado

+0.2

Very Low

37th percentile

Rio Blanco County

Colorado

+1.0

Very Low

38th percentile

Broomfield County

Colorado

-1.9

Very Low

35th percentile

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.

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