Photo: Priscila Micaroni Lalli ([email protected]) · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Idaho Springs than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Idaho Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Idaho Springs 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
Wildfire
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 Idaho Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Idaho Springs, and Idaho Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Idaho Springs’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.3M a year in losses across Idaho Springs: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Idaho Springs flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Idaho Springs, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Idaho Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clear Creek County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Idaho Springs
Disasters that paid out in Idaho Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Idaho Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides73 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$22K to the City of Idaho Springs for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the City of Idaho Springs for repairs
Clear Creek County has had 5 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 Idaho Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Idaho Springs archive →Idaho Springs and its neighbors
Idaho Springs 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Springs | D−among the highest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Central | — | 525 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 Idaho Springs 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.
- 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.
- 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 Idaho Springs
Is Idaho Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Idaho Springs has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and wildfire (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Idaho Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Idaho Springs since 1998, $369 in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Idaho Springs 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 Clear Creek County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Idaho Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Idaho Springs’ 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 Idaho Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Idaho Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 73 households applied for aid, $57K approved, and $22K to the City of Idaho Springs for repairs.
Is Idaho Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Idaho Springs’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Idaho Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Idaho Springs’ 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.