Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Burlington than in 85% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #8 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then tornadoes (27%). 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 Burlington 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
Tornadoes
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 Burlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington, and Burlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 27%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #8 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burlington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Burlington has less expected damage per building than 96% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Burlington: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Burlington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
The storms Burlington remembers
None of the 4 disasters declared for Kit Carson County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Burlington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
Kit Carson County has had 4 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.
Get ready for what Burlington 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.
- 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.
- 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 Burlington
Is Burlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #8 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and tornadoes (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Burlington 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.
How much is flood insurance in Burlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Burlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Burlington’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington’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.