Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Frederick faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frederick gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #50 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1990.
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 Frederick 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 Frederick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Frederick, and Frederick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #50 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Frederick’s residents live in 10 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, Frederick has less expected damage per building than 69% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Frederick: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Frederick flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Frederick, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $30K
Frederick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Weld County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Frederick
Disasters that paid out in Frederick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Frederick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides212 households applied for aid$344K aid approved$159K to the Town of Frederick for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Weld County has had 12 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.
Old photos of Frederick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Frederick archive →Frederick and its neighbors
Frederick is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Frederick 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 Frederick
Is Frederick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Frederick has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #50 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Frederick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Frederick since 1990, $41K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Frederick 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 Weld County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Frederick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Frederick’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 Frederick?
By FEMA money that reached Frederick, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 212 households applied for aid, $344K approved, and $159K to the Town of Frederick for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $30K.
Is Frederick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Frederick’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Frederick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Frederick’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.