Pueblo County Disaster Risk
Pueblo County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
83th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
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
Moderate
Higher than 93% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Pueblo County, Colorado
Pueblo County faces elevated risks
Pueblo County's composite risk score of 82.51 rates as "Relatively Moderate" and substantially exceeds the national average, indicating significant natural disaster exposure. The county ranks among America's higher-risk regions for multiple hazards.
Colorado's highest-risk county
Pueblo County's score of 82.51 far exceeds Colorado's state average of 40.67, making it the state's highest-risk county. Residents face exposure levels roughly double the Colorado norm.
Significantly riskier than neighbors
Pueblo County (82.51) faces dramatically higher risk than all adjacent counties, including Rio Grande County (45.77) and Prowers County (48.60). The county's location and geography create uniquely elevated hazard exposure.
Multiple severe hazards converge
Wildfire risk (92.75), flood risk (81.11), and tornado risk (72.23) all rank among Colorado's highest, creating a triple threat. Earthquake risk (66.54) adds significant additional exposure across multiple hazard types.
Comprehensive protection required
Pueblo County residents must secure full homeowners insurance with explicit wildfire, flood, and tornado coverage, plus separate flood insurance. Professional home hardening, defensible space maintenance, and detailed evacuation planning are critical investments.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Pueblo County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Pueblo County
Risk Verdict
Pueblo County's overall risk score at the 83th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Pueblo County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (72th percentile), earthquake (67th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Pueblo County's dominant hazard is wildfire, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally. Maintaining at least 30 feet of lean, clean vegetation around structures in Pueblo County and keeping gutters clear of debris significantly reduces ignition risk from wind-driven embers. The county's flood exposure at the 81th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Pueblo County's households benefit from reviewing homeowners insurance before fire season, specifically whether the policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value, and whether it includes additional living expenses if displacement is required.
Regional Context
Compared to other Colorado counties, Pueblo County runs 41.8 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Pueblo County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Pueblo County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Pueblo County?
How does Pueblo County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Pueblo County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Pueblo 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.