riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Rio Grande County Disaster Risk

Rio Grande County, Colorado

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#28

of 64 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

55th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 14% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Rio Grande County

Risk Verdict

Rio Grande County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 46th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Earthquake risk is the dominant hazard for Rio Grande County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by wildfire risk at the 64th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (55th), tornado (14th).

Preparedness Context

With earthquake risk as the top concern, Rio Grande County residents should secure heavy furniture and appliances, know how to shut off utilities, and keep emergency supplies accessible. Secondary risks such as wildfire also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Rio Grande County is significantly riskier than the average county in Colorado. Its composite risk score is 5.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Rio Grande County, CO?
Rio Grande County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Rio Grande County?
Rio Grande County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: earthquake (69th percentile), wildfire (64th percentile), flooding (55th percentile), tornado (14th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is earthquake at the 69th 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 Rio Grande County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Rio Grande County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Very Low. This means Rio Grande County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in Colorado.
Is Rio Grande County at risk for earthquake?
Yes, Rio Grande County's earthquake risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Rio Grande County is at the 55th 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 Rio Grande County higher risk than average?
Rio Grande County's composite risk score of 46th percentile is above the Colorado state average of 41th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by earthquake exposure (69th percentile), along with wildfire and flooding risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Gunnison County

Colorado

-0.8

Relatively Low

45th percentile

Clear Creek County

Colorado

+1.0

Relatively Low

47th percentile

Montezuma County

Colorado

+1.8

Relatively Low

48th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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