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

Mineral County Disaster Risk

Mineral County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

5th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#59

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

7th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 7% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 2% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Mineral County, Colorado

Mineral County's Disaster Risk: Well Below Average

Mineral County's composite risk score of 5.44 places it in the "Very Low" category, significantly safer than the national average for natural disaster exposure. This remote, high-altitude county benefits from geography that shields it from many hazards that threaten other regions.

Colorado's Safest County for Overall Risk

Mineral County ranks as Colorado's lowest-risk county, with a composite score of 5.44 compared to the state average of 40.67. This nearly 7-fold difference reflects the county's isolated location and limited exposure to multiple hazard types.

Surrounded by Higher-Risk Counties

While Mineral County itself is exceptionally safe, neighboring counties like Ouray (17.72) and Park (22.20) face modestly higher composite risks, primarily from wildfire exposure. Mineral's lower-elevation neighbors in southern Colorado face notably greater threats from flooding and other hazards.

Wildfire and Earthquake: Your Main Concerns

Wildfire risk scores highest at 45.80, though this remains moderate compared to neighboring counties, reflecting sparse vegetation in higher elevations. Earthquake risk at 14.38 is the second concern, typical of Colorado's western region, while flood and tornado risks remain minimal.

Prioritize Wildfire and Earthquake Coverage

Even in low-risk Mineral County, homeowners should ensure adequate wildfire insurance for structures in exposed areas and earthquake coverage given the region's seismic activity. Standard homeowners policies often exclude both perils, making separate coverage essential for financial protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Mineral County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    46th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    14th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    7th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Mineral County

Risk Verdict

Mineral County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 5th percentile nationally. Mineral County's 5th 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 Mineral County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 14th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (7th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 46th percentile nationally for wildfire risk, Mineral 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. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 14th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. 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 Mineral County residents.

Regional Context

Mineral County falls 35.2 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 Mineral 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 Mineral County, CO?
Mineral County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 5th 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 Mineral County?
Mineral County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (46th percentile), earthquake (14th percentile), flooding (7th percentile), tornado (2th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 46th 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 Mineral County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Mineral County's composite risk percentile is 5th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Mineral County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Mineral County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Mineral County's wildfire risk is at the 46th percentile nationally. This is below the national median, indicating relatively lower exposure. For flooding specifically, Mineral County is at the 7th 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 Mineral County a safe place to live?
Mineral County's composite risk score of 5th 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 46th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Bent County

Colorado

+0.2

Very Low

6th percentile

Lake County

Colorado

+0.2

Very Low

6th percentile

Gilpin County

Colorado

+0.9

Very Low

6th 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.

Explore more data for Mineral County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score