Larimer County Disaster Risk
Larimer County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
90th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#7
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
89th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% 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
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Larimer County, Colorado
Larimer faces serious, multi-hazard disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 90.14 and a Relatively Moderate rating, Larimer County experiences disaster exposure well above the U.S. average. This elevated risk stems from exposure to multiple simultaneous hazards—flooding, wildfire, tornadoes, and seismic activity all pose genuine threats.
Colorado's highest-risk county overall
Larimer's 90.14 score far exceeds Colorado's 40.67 state average, making it the riskiest county in the entire state for composite natural disaster exposure. This profile reflects the county's size, population density, geography, and exposure to hazards at every elevation and in every season.
Dramatically riskier than surrounding counties
Larimer (90.14) faces triple the risk of Logan County (58.75) to its northeast and nearly four times the exposure of Lake County (5.66) to the west. Among northern Colorado's main population centers, Larimer carries by far the highest compound disaster burden.
Wildfires, tornadoes, and floods all major threats
Wildfire risk scores 97.68—the state's highest—reflecting heavily forested foothills and rapid fire spread during drought. Tornado risk at 90.55 is exceptional for Colorado; flood risk at 89.44 reflects both mountain snowmelt and Front Range storm activity, with the 2013 floods serving as a stark reminder.
Comprehensive coverage essential for Larimer residents
Homeowners must carry wildfire insurance with defensible space coverage, flood insurance (mandatory if in a designated zone), and coverage for wind and hail damage from tornadoes and severe storms. Bundle these coverages strategically, document high-value property, and maintain emergency plans for rapid evacuation—Larimer's multi-hazard exposure demands active preparedness.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Larimer County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Larimer County
Risk Verdict
Larimer County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 90th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Larimer County.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Larimer County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 98th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 91th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (89th percentile), earthquake (81th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Larimer County's primary hazard at the 98th percentile nationally. For Larimer County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary tornado exposure at the 91th percentile nationally means Larimer County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Larimer County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Larimer County falls 49.5 points above Colorado's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Larimer County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Larimer County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Larimer County?
How does Larimer County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Larimer County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Larimer 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.