Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts La Junta’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Junta gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #126 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 stands out about La Junta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Junta 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
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 La Junta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Junta, and La Junta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #126 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Junta’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, La Junta has more expected damage per building than 79% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across La Junta: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Junta flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1990
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Junta, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
La Junta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otero County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Junta
Disasters that paid out in La Junta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Junta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$101K to the City of La Junta for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$22K to the City of La Junta for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
Otero County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of La Junta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Junta archive →Get ready for what La Junta 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.
- 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 La Junta
Is La Junta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Junta has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #126 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Junta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in La Junta since 1990, $521K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is La Junta 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 Otero County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in La Junta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Junta’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 La Junta?
By FEMA money that reached La Junta, Snow (2006): $101K to the City of La Junta for repairs.
Is La Junta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and La Junta’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Junta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Junta’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.