Photo: E10ddie · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Evergreen than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evergreen gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (65%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1983.
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 Evergreen faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
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 Evergreen’s grade
Wildfire is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Evergreen, and Evergreen’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #159 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Evergreen’s residents live in 5 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, Evergreen has more expected damage per building than 100% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.5M a year in losses across Evergreen: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Evergreen flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Evergreen, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $6K
Evergreen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Evergreen
Disasters that paid out in Evergreen itself (aid to households or repair grants to Evergreen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides233 households applied for aid$414K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Jefferson County has had 7 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jefferson County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Evergreen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Evergreen archive →Evergreen and its neighbors
Evergreen has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen | D−more damage than 97% | wildfire | 8 |
| Kittredge | — | 812 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 Evergreen faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Evergreen
Is Evergreen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Evergreen has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (65%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Evergreen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Evergreen since 1983, $61K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Evergreen 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 Jefferson County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Evergreen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Evergreen’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 Evergreen?
By FEMA money that reached Evergreen, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 233 households applied for aid, $414K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $6K.
Is Evergreen at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Evergreen’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Evergreen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Evergreen’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.