Golden, CO
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Golden is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jefferson County, CO. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, lightning, and wildfire.
Storm events near Golden
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Golden's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Golden 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 Jefferson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Golden along with the rest of the county, not a Golden-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 99.5 | Relatively High |
| Inland Flooding | 93.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 84 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 71 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 96.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | 77.9 | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | 73.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 27.6 | Very Low |
| Hail | 99.8 | Very High |
| Hurricane | — | Not Applicable |
| Ice Storm | 71.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 97.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 99.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 92.6 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | 71 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | 97.8 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jefferson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Jefferson County:
More on Jefferson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Golden, CO at risk of?
Golden 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 Jefferson County, where Golden is located, are hail, lightning, and wildfire.
What is Golden's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Jefferson County, where Golden is located, scoring 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Golden a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Golden carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Jefferson County.
Has Golden had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 627 hail, 21 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Golden since 2016.