Less hazard damage per building is expected in Broomfield than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broomfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #6 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hail (23%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Broomfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Broomfield 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
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 Broomfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Broomfield, and Broomfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 23%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #6 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Broomfield’s residents live in 21 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, Broomfield has less expected damage per building than 97% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.1M a year in losses across Broomfield: $11.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Broomfield flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Broomfield, 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 · $3K
Broomfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broomfield County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Broomfield
Disasters that paid out in Broomfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Broomfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides32 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Broomfield County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Broomfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Broomfield archive →Broomfield and its neighbors
Broomfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 9 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broomfield | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Lafayette | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Northglenn | B+less damage than 73% | hail | 2 |
| Dacono | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Erie | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Louisville | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Thornton | B+less damage than 66% | hail | 7 |
| Westminster | B+less damage than 65% | hail | 24 |
| Superior | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Broomfield 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.
- 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 Broomfield
Is Broomfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Broomfield has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #6 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hail (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Broomfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Broomfield since 1978, $162K 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 Broomfield 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 Broomfield County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Broomfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Broomfield’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 Broomfield?
By FEMA money that reached Broomfield, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 32 households applied for aid, $60K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Broomfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Broomfield’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Broomfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Broomfield’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.