Denver, CO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Denver is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Denver County, CO. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, lightning, and tornado.
Storm events near Denver
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Denver's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Denver itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Denver County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Denver along with the rest of the county, not a Denver-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 60.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 95.3 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 91 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 71.5 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 97.9 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 92.1 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 21.4 | Very Low |
| Hail | 99.9 | Very High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 12.1 | Very Low |
| Landslide | 87.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 98.6 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 96.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 73.6 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 91.9 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Denver County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Denver County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Denver, CO at risk of?
Denver is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Denver County, where Denver is located, are hail, lightning, and tornado.
What is Denver's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Denver County, where Denver is located, scoring 99.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Denver a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Denver carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Denver County.
Has Denver had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 21 tornado, 731 hail, 24 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Denver since 2016.