Summit County, Colorado
Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.
Summit County, Colorado has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 60% of US counties. It ranks 16th of 64 counties in Colorado. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, avalanches and hail. FEMA estimates about $30 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $951 per resident. Since 1977 it has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (1 major disaster). The most recent was in September 2005 (Hurricane Katrina Evacuation). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (145 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $20,000 on 30 claims here.
FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Summit 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.
- Ask about the roof age and any impact-rated shingles.
- Check your home policy for a separate wind and hail deductible.
All 18 hazards
What the ratings mean ›| Hazard | Rating | Score | Expected loss a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 65.4 | $15M | ||
| Avalanche | 99.0 | $11M | ||
| Hail | 78.5 | $1M | ||
| Lightning | 80.8 | $1M | ||
| Tornado | 21.8 | $382K | ||
| Earthquake | 46.9 | $326K | ||
| Strong wind | 19.0 | $232K | ||
| Winter weather | 74.2 | $221K | ||
| Landslide | 93.6 | $137K | ||
| Wildfire | 53.6 | $80K | ||
| Cold wave | 5.7 | $34K | ||
| Ice storm | 19.5 | $22K | ||
| Volcanic activity | 38.8 | $7 |
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 moderate in FEMA's measures.
Federal disaster history
Recent disasters nationwide ›Declarations by decade
Federal declarations for natural events that included Summit 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 1985
Tornado risk by county ›The National Weather Service has logged 18 storm reports in Summit County since 1985, with 2 deaths and 6 injuries and about $240,000 in reported damage. No tornadoes are on record here.
Most damaging storms
| Date | Type | Near | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 2011 | Flash Flood | Breckenridge | $210K |
| Jul 18, 2011 | Lightning | Breckenridge | $15K |
| Jul 18, 2011 | Heavy Rain | Dillon | $5K |
| Jul 10, 2011 | Lightning | Dillon | $5K |
| Jul 13, 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Dillon | $5K |
| Aug 1, 2004 | Lightning | Breckenridge | 1 killed |
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jun 8, 2024. 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 Summit 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 Summit 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; 32,251 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 | |
| Park County | 10 | |
| Grand County | 6 | |
| Clear Creek County | 7 | |
| Lake County | 4 |
Common questions about Summit County
What is the biggest natural hazard in Summit County?
Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Summit County, about $15.1 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Avalanche is second at $10.8 million.
How many federal disasters has Summit County had?
Summit County has been included in 4 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1977, including 1 major disaster. The most recent was Hurricane Katrina Evacuation in September 2005.
Is Summit County a high-risk place to live?
Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 16th 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 Summit County?
Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 111 homes in Summit 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 Summit County had?
NOAA records list 0 tornadoes in Summit County since 1950. The weather service has also logged 2 hail reports and 1 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.