Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0For hail, Glendale’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #94 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hail (40%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Glendale 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 Glendale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glendale, and Glendale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 40%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #94 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glendale’s residents live in 2 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, Glendale has more expected damage per building than 59% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Glendale: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glendale flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Glendale. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Glendale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arapahoe County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glendale
Disasters that paid out in Glendale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glendale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$7K to the City of Glendale for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the City of Glendale 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 Glendale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glendale archive →Get ready for what Glendale 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Glendale
Is Glendale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glendale has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #94 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hail (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Glendale 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 Glendale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glendale’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 Glendale?
By FEMA money that reached Glendale, Snow (2006): $7K to the City of Glendale for repairs.
Is Glendale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Glendale’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glendale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glendale’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.