Photo: Av9 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Breckenridge’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Breckenridge gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #33 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1994.
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 Breckenridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Breckenridge 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
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 Breckenridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Breckenridge, and Breckenridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #33 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Breckenridge’s residents live in 4 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, Breckenridge has less expected damage per building than 80% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $22.3M a year in losses across Breckenridge: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Breckenridge flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Breckenridge, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Breckenridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Summit County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Breckenridge
Disasters that paid out in Breckenridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Breckenridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Breckenridge for repairs
Summit County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Breckenridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Breckenridge archive →Get ready for what Breckenridge 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.
- 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 Breckenridge
Is Breckenridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Breckenridge has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #33 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Breckenridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Breckenridge since 1994, $28K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Breckenridge 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 Summit County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Breckenridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Breckenridge’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 Breckenridge?
By FEMA money that reached Breckenridge, Snow (2003): $19K to the Town of Breckenridge for repairs.
Is Breckenridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Breckenridge’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Breckenridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Breckenridge’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.