Photo: Mvanderkolk · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Arvada faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arvada gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #103 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hail (35%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Arvada’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Arvada faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Wildfire
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Arvada’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arvada, and Arvada’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #103 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arvada’s residents live in 34 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Arvada has more expected damage per building than 65% of Colorado towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Arvada has higher expected damage per building than 58% (#231 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $41.2M, is the 288th largest of those 400.
Does Arvada flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Arvada, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms4 claims · $10K
Arvada is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arvada
Disasters that paid out in Arvada itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arvada), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides102 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$633K to the City of Arvada for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$131K to the City of Arvada for repairs
- 2003Snow$81K to the City of Arvada for repairs
Its 2 counties have had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Arvada after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arvada archive →Arvada and its neighbors
Arvada is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster | B+less damage than 65% | hail | 24 |
| Berkley | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Arvada | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Fairmount | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Wheat Ridge | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Arvada faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Arvada residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Arvada
Is Arvada at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arvada has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #103 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hail (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Arvada flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Arvada since 1978, $87K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (4).
Is Arvada in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Jefferson County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arvada?
Arvada is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Arvada?
By FEMA money that reached Arvada, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 102 households applied for aid, $109K approved, and $633K to the City of Arvada for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 4 paid, $10K.
Is Arvada at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Arvada’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arvada.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arvada’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.