Hinsdale County, Colorado
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Hinsdale County, Colorado has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 99% of US counties. It ranks 64th of 64 counties in Colorado. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, avalanches and lightning. FEMA estimates about $1.8 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $2,336 per resident. Since 1970 it has been included in 6 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (4 major disasters). The most recent was in September 2005 (Hurricane Katrina Evacuation). Only 9 homes here carry federal flood insurance.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Hinsdale County
- 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.
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
- Go indoors when you hear thunder.
- Use surge protectors for electronics.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 7.3 | $1M | ||
| Avalanche | 78.7 | $241K | ||
| Lightning | 19.3 | $90K | ||
| Wildfire | 50.2 | $65K | ||
| Landslide | 81.9 | $28K | ||
| Earthquake | 9.0 | $12K | ||
| Winter weather | 7.2 | $7K | ||
| Tornado | 1.6 | $2K | ||
| Strong wind | 1.0 | $1K | ||
| Hail | 1.0 | $1K | ||
| Ice storm | 0.9 | $528 | ||
| Cold wave | 2.4 | $0 |
Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is very low and community resilience is relatively low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Hinsdale County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.
By type
Most recent
Colorado also had 15 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.
Storm history since 1996
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 16 storm reports in Hinsdale County since 1996, with 1 death and 2 injuries and about $91,800 in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Lake City | $50K |
| Jul 17, 1996 | Flash Flood | Lake City | $30K |
| Aug 3, 2019 | Debris Flow | Lake City | $5K |
| Aug 5, 1999 | Flash Flood | Lake City | $2K |
| Jul 16, 2000 | Flash Flood | Slumgullion Pass | $2K |
| Aug 4, 1999 | Flash Flood | Lake City | $1K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Aug 1, 2025. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.
Flood insurance in Hinsdale County
Check your address flood zone ›National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.
Homes in Hinsdale County
Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 1,343 housing units.
Compare in Colorado
All 64 ›| Largest counties | Overall risk | Top hazard |
|---|---|---|
| El Paso County | Inland flooding | |
| Denver County | Inland flooding | |
| Arapahoe County | Hail | |
| Jefferson County | Inland flooding | |
| Adams County | Hail | |
| Larimer County | Inland flooding | |
| Douglas County | Inland flooding | |
| Boulder County | Inland flooding |
Neighboring counties
| County | Overall risk | Declarations |
|---|---|---|
| La Plata County | 8 | |
| Gunnison County | 7 | |
| Archuleta County | 6 | |
| Saguache County | 7 | |
| Ouray County | 8 | |
| Mineral County | 6 | |
| San Juan County | 4 |
Common questions about Hinsdale County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Hinsdale County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Hinsdale County, about $1.4 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Avalanche is second at $241,472.
How many federal disasters has Hinsdale County had?
Hinsdale County has been included in 6 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1970, including 4 major disasters. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina Evacuation in September 2005.
Is Hinsdale County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 64th highest of 64 in Colorado. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.
Do I need flood insurance in Hinsdale County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 143 homes in Hinsdale County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.
How many tornadoes has Hinsdale County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Hinsdale County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 1 hail reports and 7 floods here.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.