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

Prowers County Disaster Risk

Prowers County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

49th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#25

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

49th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 30% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Prowers County, Colorado

Prowers County's disaster risk

Prowers County's composite risk score of 48.60 earns a "Relatively Low" rating but exceeds the national average, signaling moderate natural disaster exposure. The county faces above-average hazard threats compared to typical American counties.

Moderate risk within Colorado

Prowers County's score of 48.60 sits above Colorado's state average of 40.67, placing it among the state's higher-exposure counties. The county experiences greater natural disaster vulnerability than most Colorado regions.

Higher risk than adjacent counties

Prowers County (48.60) faces substantially higher risk than neighboring Phillips County (12.34), though slightly lower than Pueblo County (82.51). The county's eastern plains location creates a distinct hazard profile from mountain counties.

Wildfires and tornadoes threaten

Wildfire risk (79.23) is Prowers County's dominant hazard, among the highest in the state, followed by tornado risk (36.83). Flood risk (49.49) presents a moderate secondary concern, while earthquake risk (29.52) remains lower.

Essential insurance for Prowers

Residents should obtain comprehensive homeowners insurance with explicit wildfire and tornado coverage, plus a separate flood policy if in a flood-prone area. Maintain defensible space around structures and keep emergency evacuation routes planned.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Prowers County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    79th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    49th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    37th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Prowers County

Risk Verdict

Prowers County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 49th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Prowers County's 49th 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 Prowers County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 49th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (37th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Wildfire is Prowers County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 79th percentile nationally. Prowers County residents should assess whether their property lies within or adjacent to a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone, where ember transport and rapid spread pose the highest risk. A secondary flood exposure at the 49th percentile nationally means Prowers County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. For Prowers County households, a practiced evacuation plan — with a primary and backup route designated before a fire occurs — provides more protection than any structural improvement when a wildfire approaches fast-moving terrain.

Regional Context

Prowers County's composite risk score sits 7.9 points above the Colorado county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.

Is your household prepared for Prowers 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 Prowers County, CO?
Prowers County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 49th 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 Prowers County?
Prowers County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (79th percentile), flooding (49th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), earthquake (30th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 79th 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 Prowers County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Prowers County's composite risk percentile is 49th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Prowers County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Prowers County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Prowers County's wildfire risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Prowers County is at the 49th 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.
Why is Prowers County higher risk than average?
Prowers County's composite risk score of 49th percentile is above the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by wildfire exposure (79th percentile). Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
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.