Bennett’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennett gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #86 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (44%), then river and rain flooding (38%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Bennett faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
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 Bennett’s grade
Hail is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bennett, and Bennett’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #86 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bennett’s residents live in 2 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, Bennett has more expected damage per building than 54% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Bennett: $799K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bennett flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Bennett. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Bennett isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bennett
Disasters that paid out in Bennett itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bennett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$275 aid approved
- 2006Snow$4K to the Town of Bennett for repairs
Adams County has had 8 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.
Old photos of Bennett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bennett archive →Get ready for what Bennett faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bennett
Is Bennett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bennett has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #86 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (44%) and river and rain flooding (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Bennett 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 Adams County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bennett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bennett’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bennett?
By FEMA money that reached Bennett, Snow (2006): $4K to the Town of Bennett for repairs.
Is Bennett at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Bennett’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bennett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bennett’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.