Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0For hail, Centennial’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centennial gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #68 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (44%), then river and rain flooding (41%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims 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 stands out about Centennial’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Centennial 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
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 Centennial’s grade
Hail is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Centennial, and Centennial’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 41% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #68 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Centennial’s residents live in 37 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, Centennial has less expected damage per building than 58% of Colorado towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Centennial has lower expected damage per building than 58% (#167 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $33.2M, is the 338th largest of those 400.
Does Centennial flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Centennial, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms2 claims · $5K
Centennial is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Arapahoe County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Centennial
Disasters that paid out in Centennial itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Centennial), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides57 households applied for aid$40K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$97K to the City of Centennial for repairs
- 2003Snow$54K to the City of Centennial for repairs
Arapahoe 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 Centennial after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Centennial archive →Centennial and its neighbors
Centennial is 5th of the 8 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands Ranch | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Inverness | A−less damage than 76% | hail | — |
| Greenwood Village | Bless damage than 56% | hail | 10 |
| Aurora | B−more damage than 50% | hail | 35 |
| Centennial | B−more damage than 51% | hail | 15 |
| Cherry Creek | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dove Valley | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Littleton | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Foxfield | — | 659 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Centennial 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.
- 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.
- Centennial residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Centennial
Is Centennial at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Centennial has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #68 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (44%) and river and rain flooding (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Centennial flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Centennial since 2013, $70K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (2).
Is Centennial 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 Arapahoe County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Centennial?
Centennial is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Centennial?
By FEMA money that reached Centennial, Snow (2006): $97K to the City of Centennial for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Centennial at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Centennial’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Centennial.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Centennial’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.