Denver, Colorado: natural disaster risk
How exposed Denver is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Denver County.
Denver is a city of 718,877 people in Denver County, Colorado. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Denver County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, hail and tornado, with about $222 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 551 storm reports in the county since 1955, including 19 tornadoes and 31 floods. About 0.4% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Denver County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Denver
Full Denver County report ›- 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.
- Ask about the roof age and any impact-rated shingles.
- Check your home policy for a separate wind and hail deductible.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $94M | |
| Hail | $72M | |
| Tornado | $28M | |
| Cold wave | $10M | |
| Earthquake | $7M | |
| Lightning | $4M | |
| Strong wind | $4M | |
| Heat wave | $1M | |
| Winter weather | $562K | |
| Wildfire | $105K | |
| Landslide | $49K | |
| Ice storm | $8K |
Homes in Denver
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 Denver County
Other cities in Colorado
All ›Common questions about Denver
Is Denver safe from natural disasters?
Denver is in Denver County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, hail, tornado. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Denver?
By expected yearly losses in Denver County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), hail (Very High), tornado (High). Denver County has been part of 9 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Denver get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 19 tornadoes in Denver County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on June 15, 1988. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Denver?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Denver County, about 0.4% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.