Photo: Dwillsey at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Englewood than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Englewood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #107 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hail (35%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1997.
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 Englewood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Englewood 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 Englewood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Englewood, and Englewood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 35%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #107 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Englewood’s residents live in 14 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, Englewood has more expected damage per building than 67% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across Englewood: $9.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Englewood flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Englewood, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Englewood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Arapahoe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Englewood
Disasters that paid out in Englewood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Englewood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$827K to the City of Englewood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides21 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Snow$34K to the City of Englewood for repairs
- 2003Snow$20K to the City of Englewood 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 Englewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Englewood archive →Englewood and its neighbors
Englewood is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Village | Bless damage than 56% | hail | 10 |
| Cherry Hills Village | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Denver | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Englewood | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Littleton | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Sheridan | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Englewood 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.
- Englewood residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Englewood
Is Englewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Englewood has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #107 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hail (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Englewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Englewood since 1997, $15K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Englewood 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 Englewood?
Englewood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Englewood?
By FEMA money that reached Englewood, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2023): $827K to the City of Englewood for repairs.
Is Englewood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Englewood’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Englewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Englewood’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.