Yuma County Disaster Risk
Yuma County, Colorado
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
37th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#33
of 64 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
13th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 13% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 60% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 45% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 17% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Yuma County, Colorado
Yuma's risk sits near the national average
Yuma County scores 36.80, earning a Very Low rating but sitting slightly below the national average. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to most U.S. peers.
Moderate risk in Colorado context
Yuma's 36.80 score falls just below the Colorado state average of 40.67, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of state counties. It faces more exposure than its northeast neighbors but less than Summit or Teller.
Riskier than most plain counties
Yuma ranks higher than Sedgwick (6.52) and Washington (11.99), but lower than Weld County (89.15). It represents the moderate-risk profile of Colorado's eastern plains.
Tornadoes and wildfire lead the hazards
Tornado risk (45.32) is Yuma's highest individual hazard score, reflecting its High Plains location and spring storm exposure. Wildfire (60.18) poses moderate threat; flooding (12.95) and earthquakes (16.95) remain lower risks.
Tornado and wildfire protection matter most
Yuma County residents should ensure homeowner's policies include comprehensive wind and hail coverage for tornado season, and verify wildfire damage is covered or add a rider. A weather-safe room or shelter plan is also advisable given the county's tornado exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Yuma County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Yuma County
Risk Verdict
Yuma County carries a low natural disaster risk burden, scoring at the 37th percentile under the FEMA National Risk Index. A 37th percentile score positions Yuma County among the nation's lower-risk counties, a genuinely favorable outcome — one that simple, low-cost preparedness habits can reinforce further.
Hazard Breakdown
Wildfire risk is Yuma County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 60th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 45th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (17th percentile), flood (13th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Wildfire ranks as Yuma County's primary hazard at the 60th percentile nationally. For Yuma 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. The county's tornado exposure at the 45th percentile nationally complements the wildfire risk — saturating rain after burn scarring often triggers secondary flood and debris flow events. Yuma 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
At 3.9 points from the Colorado county mean, Yuma County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.
Is your household prepared for Yuma County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Yuma County, CO?
What types of natural hazards affect Yuma County?
How does Yuma County risk compare to the Colorado average?
Is Yuma County at risk for wildfire?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Yuma 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.