La Plata County Disaster Risk
La Plata County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
75th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#12
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
81th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively High
Higher than 98% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 16% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 71% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in La Plata County, Colorado
La Plata faces above-average U.S. disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 75.16 and a Relatively Low rating, La Plata County experiences notably more disaster exposure than the typical American county. Two hazards—wildfire and flooding—drive this elevated profile and demand serious attention from residents.
Among Colorado's riskier counties
La Plata's 75.16 score substantially exceeds Colorado's 40.67 state average, placing it in the upper tier of statewide risk. The county faces greater compound hazard exposure than most of its neighbors, with wildfire and flood risk nearly double the state norm.
Significantly higher risk than mountain peers
La Plata (75.16) faces nearly triple the risk of neighboring Lake County (5.66), and substantially more than Las Animas County (23.63) immediately to the east. Among southwestern Colorado's main population centers, La Plata carries the highest composite disaster burden.
Wildfire and flooding threaten La Plata
Wildfire risk scores 97.55—among the highest in the state—reflecting dense forests, steep terrain, and a warm, dry climate that accelerates fire spread. Flood risk at 81.36 reflects heavy monsoon rains and snowmelt in mountainous headwaters that feed into valley communities.
Invest heavily in wildfire and flood insurance
Homeowners in La Plata should carry robust wildfire coverage, including on roofs and defensible space improvements; consider additional living expense riders for evacuation scenarios. Flood insurance is critical—standard homeowner policies exclude water damage, and La Plata's monsoon and snowmelt exposure makes it essential coverage.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in La Plata County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: La Plata County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in La Plata County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 75th percentile. Residents should prioritize a formal household emergency plan, including evacuation routes, insurance review, and a well-stocked emergency kit.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is La Plata County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (16th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 98th percentile nationally, La Plata 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 La Plata County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, flood at the 81th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for La Plata County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by La Plata County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
La Plata County is 34.5 composite risk points above the Colorado average, indicating that residents face greater natural hazard exposure than most of their in-state neighbors.
Is your household prepared for La Plata County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in La Plata County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect La Plata County?
How does La Plata County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is La Plata County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is La Plata 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.