San Juan County Disaster Risk
San Juan County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
11th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#52
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
4th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 4% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 2% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 11% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in San Juan County, Colorado
San Juan's disaster risk is well below average
San Juan County scores 10.69 on the composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and placing it far below the national average. This score reflects relatively modest exposure to natural hazards compared to most U.S. counties.
Among Colorado's safest counties
San Juan ranks near the bottom of Colorado's risk spectrum, with its 10.69 score significantly lower than the state average of 40.67. The county faces substantially less overall disaster risk than most of its neighbors across the state.
Safest in a moderate-risk region
San Juan's risk profile stands out favorably against surrounding counties—it scores lower than San Miguel (19.12) and Montrose, making it one of the region's safer areas. Only Sedgwick County (6.52) and Washington County (11.99) rank lower statewide.
Wildfire and earthquakes matter most
Wildfire risk (33.62) dominates San Juan's hazard profile, followed by earthquake exposure (10.97). Flooding and tornado risks remain minimal, each scoring under 5.
Homeowners should prioritize wildfire coverage
While San Juan's overall risk is low, wildfire damage is possible and often excluded from standard policies—verify your homeowner's insurance covers wildfire or purchase a separate rider. Earthquake coverage is also available and worth evaluating, especially given the county's moderate seismic activity.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in San Juan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: San Juan County
Risk Verdict
San Juan County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 11th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. The 11th percentile national ranking is one lens; San Juan County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is San Juan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 34th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 11th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (4th percentile), tornado (2th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as San Juan County's primary hazard at the 34th percentile nationally. For San Juan County households in high-WUI areas, go-bag readiness — the ability to leave within 15 minutes — is more important than shelter-in-place planning for most residential properties. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 11th percentile nationally means San Juan County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. San Juan County county's local emergency management office publishes community-specific wildfire risk assessments and evacuation zone maps; households should review their zone assignment and sign up for zone-specific alerts.
Regional Context
Compared to the Colorado county average, San Juan County's composite score runs 30.0 points lower — a gap that reflects the county's relatively modest hazard profile within its state context.
Is your household prepared for San Juan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in San Juan County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect San Juan County?
How does San Juan County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is San Juan County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is San Juan 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.