Lake County, Colorado
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Lake County, Colorado has a very low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is lower than 94% of US counties. It ranks 57th of 64 counties in Colorado. The costliest hazards here are avalanches, inland flooding and lightning. FEMA estimates about $4.4 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $593 per resident. Since 2002 it has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (2 major disasters). The most recent was in July 2026 (Willow Fire). Only 8 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 Lake County
- Check avalanche forecasts before backcountry trips.
- Ask about slide paths near mountain homes.
- 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.
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | 88.6 | $2M | ||
| Inland flooding | 8.7 | $2M | ||
| Lightning | 38.4 | $204K | ||
| Landslide | 94.7 | $162K | ||
| Earthquake | 29.4 | $94K | ||
| Hail | 17.7 | $84K | ||
| Tornado | 8.4 | $65K | ||
| Strong wind | 3.2 | $23K | ||
| Winter weather | 18.7 | $22K | ||
| Wildfire | 23.4 | $13K | ||
| Cold wave | 3.8 | $6K | ||
| Ice storm | 3.4 | $2K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 27.0 | $2 |
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 very low in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Lake 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 1982
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 8 storm reports in Lake County since 1982, with 0 deaths and 3 injuries and about $15,000 in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 19, 1998 | Lightning | Leadville | $10K |
| Jul 25, 1999 | Lightning | Leadville | $3K |
| Jul 4, 1998 | Lightning | Leadville | $1K |
| Aug 26, 1999 | Lightning | Leadville | $1K |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Aug 1, 2023. 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 Lake 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 Lake 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; 3,983 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle County | 7 | |
| Summit County | 4 | |
| Chaffee County | 3 | |
| Park County | 10 | |
| Pitkin County | 4 |
Common questions about Lake County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Lake County?
Avalanche has the highest expected yearly losses in Lake County, about $2.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Inland flooding is second at $1.6 million.
How many federal disasters has Lake County had?
Lake County has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 2002, including 2 major disasters. The most recent was Willow Fire in July 2026.
Is Lake County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Very Low, 57th 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 Lake County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 500 homes in Lake 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 Lake County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Lake County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 2 hail reports and 0 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.