Aurora, Colorado: natural disaster risk
How exposed Aurora is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Arapahoe County.
Aurora is a city of 394,432 people in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Parts of Aurora also reach into Adams County and Douglas County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Arapahoe County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are hail, inland flooding and tornado, with about $172 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 933 storm reports in the county since 1962, including 100 tornadoes and 44 floods. About 0.3% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Arapahoe County, the county with most of the population Aurora sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Aurora
Full Arapahoe County report ›- Ask about the roof age and any impact-rated shingles.
- Check your home policy for a separate wind and hail deductible.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Hail | $64M | |
| Inland flooding | $62M | |
| Tornado | $22M | |
| Cold wave | $9M | |
| Lightning | $4M | |
| Strong wind | $4M | |
| Earthquake | $4M | |
| Heat wave | $1M | |
| Wildfire | $802K | |
| Winter weather | $519K | |
| Drought | $118K | |
| Ice storm | $7K |
Homes in Aurora
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Arapahoe County
More cities in Arapahoe County
Other cities in Colorado
All ›Common questions about Aurora
Is Aurora safe from natural disasters?
Aurora is in Arapahoe County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are hail, inland flooding, tornado. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Aurora?
By expected yearly losses in Arapahoe County, the top hazards are hail (Very High), inland flooding (Moderate), tornado (High). Arapahoe County has been part of 10 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Aurora get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 100 tornadoes in Arapahoe County since 1950; the strongest was an F2 tornado on June 8, 1986. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Aurora?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Arapahoe County, about 0.3% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.