Otero County Disaster Risk
Otero County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
51th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#22
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
60th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 35% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Otero County, Colorado
Otero County: Moderate Risk, Above National Average
Otero County's composite risk score of 50.73 exceeds the national average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating with meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types. The county's location in southeastern Colorado creates unique combinations of wildfire, earthquake, flood, and tornado risks.
Above-Average Risk for Colorado
Otero County's score of 50.73 ranks it above Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it in the higher-risk tier statewide. This reflects the county's diverse hazard exposure across wildfire, flood, tornado, and seismic zones.
Higher Tornado Risk Than Eastern Neighbors
Otero County's tornado risk (33.27) is notably lower than neighboring Morgan County (66.54) to the north but higher than mountain counties to the west. Its wildfire risk (75.92) aligns with the broader southwestern Colorado pattern affecting both Montezuma and Montrose counties.
Wildfire and Flood Top the List
Wildfire risk ranks highest at 75.92, reflecting Otero County's forested areas and dry conditions, while flood risk at 60.15 threatens properties in river valleys and drainage areas. Tornado risk (33.27) and earthquake risk (35.37) present secondary concerns.
Wildfire and Flood Coverage Critical
Otero County residents must add wildfire insurance to their policies, as it's not covered by standard homeowners plans, especially given your county's 75.92 wildfire score. Check FEMA flood maps for your property; if in a high-risk zone, flood insurance may be required.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Otero County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Otero County
Risk Verdict
Otero County's FEMA risk score places it at the 51th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Otero County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 76th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 60th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (35th percentile), tornado (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Otero County sits at the 76th percentile for wildfire exposure. Signing up for Otero County's county emergency alert system and knowing the pre-planned evacuation route before conditions deteriorate are the two highest-value preparedness actions for residents here. The county's flood exposure at the 60th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. In Otero County, wildfire smoke often precedes the flame front by hours or days; households benefit from tracking EPA's AirNow.gov and having HEPA air filtration available as a first line of indoor protection when air quality alerts are issued.
Regional Context
The Colorado county average is 10.1 composite points below Otero County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Otero County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Otero County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Otero County?
How does Otero County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Otero County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Otero 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.