Photo: Peter Romero · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Greeley than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greeley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #47 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Greeley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greeley 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 Greeley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greeley, and Greeley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B #47 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greeley’s residents live in 35 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, Greeley has less expected damage per building than 71% of Colorado towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Greeley has lower expected damage per building than 75% (#100 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $25.8M, is the 368th largest of those 400.
Does Greeley flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greeley, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Greeley 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greeley
Disasters that paid out in Greeley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Greeley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides161 households applied for aid$793K aid approved$458K to the City of Greeley for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes47 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2003Snow$21K to the City of Greeley for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$78K to the City of Greeley for repairs2 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 Greeley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greeley archive →Greeley and its neighbors
Greeley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeley | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Evans | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Kersey | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Windsor | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Garden City | — | 401 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 Greeley 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 Greeley
Is Greeley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greeley has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #47 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greeley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Greeley since 1997, $117K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Greeley 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 Greeley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greeley’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 Greeley?
By FEMA money that reached Greeley, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 161 households applied for aid, $793K approved, and $458K to the City of Greeley for repairs.
Is Greeley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Greeley’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greeley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greeley’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.