Saguache County Disaster Risk
Saguache County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
14th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#46
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
17th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% 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 8% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 37% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Saguache County, Colorado
Saguache County's low-risk standing
Saguache County's composite risk score of 14.25 earns a "Very Low" rating and sits substantially below the national average. The county offers among the lowest natural disaster exposure in the United States.
Colorado's second-safest county
Saguache County's score of 14.25 ranks second-lowest in Colorado, well below the state average of 40.67. Residents experience natural disaster exposure significantly better than the Colorado norm.
Safest in its region
Saguache County (14.25) faces dramatically lower risk than Rio Grande County (45.77) and Rio Blanco County (37.60), and is comparable to Phillips County (12.34). The county's south-central location offers exceptional protection.
Wildfire poses secondary risk
Wildfire risk (64.12) is Saguache County's primary hazard, though still below state average for that category. Flood risk (17.46), earthquake risk (37.05), and tornado risk (7.95) all remain minimal.
Standard coverage with attention
Saguache County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage as a sensible precaution. The county's low overall risk profile allows for more basic protection strategies than higher-hazard areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Saguache County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Saguache County
Risk Verdict
Saguache County's overall natural disaster score at the 14th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. At the 14th percentile nationally, Saguache County's natural hazard profile is comparatively favorable — community resilience is reinforced when individual households maintain a reviewed emergency plan.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Saguache County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 37th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (17th percentile), tornado (8th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With wildfire ranked at the 64th percentile nationally, Saguache County is in a zone where air quality can deteriorate rapidly before structures are threatened. An N95 respirator and a HEPA air purifier are practical items for Saguache County households to have on hand before fire season. Alongside wildfire, earthquake at the 37th percentile nationally means a multi-season preparedness mindset — fire season and flood or storm season often require different household plans. Defensible space, insurance review, and an evacuation plan are the three preparedness pillars for Saguache County households — and the insurance review is the one most often deferred by Saguache County residents and most costly to skip when a fire event actually occurs.
Regional Context
Saguache County's composite risk score sits 26.4 points below the Colorado county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.
Is your household prepared for Saguache County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Saguache County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Saguache County?
How does Saguache County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Saguache County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Saguache County a safe place to live?
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.