Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Federal Heights than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federal Heights gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #38 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (54%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1984.
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 Federal Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Federal Heights 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 Federal Heights’ grade
Hail is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Federal Heights, and Federal Heights’ rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 34% (lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #38 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Federal Heights’ 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, Federal Heights has less expected damage per building than 77% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Federal Heights: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Federal Heights flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Federal Heights, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Federal Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Federal Heights
Disasters that paid out in Federal Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Federal Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$7K to the City of Federal Heights for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the City of Federal Heights for repairs
Adams 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 Federal Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Federal Heights archive →Federal Heights and its neighbors
Federal Heights has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Heights | B+less damage than 68% | hail | 6 |
| Thornton | B+less damage than 66% | hail | 7 |
| Westminster | B+less damage than 65% | hail | 24 |
| Sherrelwood | Bless damage than 60% | hail | 2 |
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 Federal Heights 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Federal Heights
Is Federal Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Federal Heights has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #38 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (54%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Federal Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Federal Heights since 1984, $26K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Federal Heights 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 Adams County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Federal Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Federal Heights’ 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 Federal Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Federal Heights, Snow (2003): $11K to the City of Federal Heights for repairs.
Is Federal Heights at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Federal Heights’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Federal Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Federal Heights’ 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.