Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Berthoud’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berthoud gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #41 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Berthoud 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 Berthoud’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berthoud, and Berthoud’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #41 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Berthoud’s residents live in 3 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, Berthoud has less expected damage per building than 75% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Berthoud: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berthoud flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berthoud, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $139K
Berthoud isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Larimer County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berthoud
Disasters that paid out in Berthoud itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Berthoud), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides76 households applied for aid$168K aid approved$34K to the Town of Berthoud for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$28K to the Town of Berthoud for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Berthoud for repairs
Larimer County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 12 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Larimer County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Berthoud after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berthoud archive →Berthoud and its neighbors
Berthoud has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berthoud | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Johnstown | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Berthoud 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Berthoud
Is Berthoud at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berthoud has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #41 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Berthoud flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Berthoud since 2013, $139K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Berthoud 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 Larimer County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Berthoud?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berthoud’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 Berthoud?
By FEMA money that reached Berthoud, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 76 households applied for aid, $168K approved, and $34K to the Town of Berthoud for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $139K.
Is Berthoud at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Berthoud’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berthoud.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berthoud’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.