Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Lone Tree’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lone Tree gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #10 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 Lone Tree 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
Wildfire
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 Lone Tree’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lone Tree, and Lone Tree’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #10 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lone Tree’s residents live in 7 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, Lone Tree has less expected damage per building than 94% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Lone Tree: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lone Tree flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lone Tree, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $2K
Lone Tree isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lone Tree
Disasters that paid out in Lone Tree itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lone Tree), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$39K to the City of Lone Tree for repairs
- 2003Snow$30K to the City of Lone Tree for repairs
Douglas County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Douglas County, 2002–2003.
Old photos of Lone Tree after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lone Tree archive →Lone Tree and its neighbors
Lone Tree is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acres Green | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lone Tree | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Highlands Ranch | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Meridian | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Meridian Village | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Grand View Estates | — | 567 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 Lone Tree 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lone Tree
Is Lone Tree at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lone Tree has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hail (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lone Tree flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Lone Tree since 2013, $4K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Lone Tree 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 Douglas County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lone Tree?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lone Tree’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 Lone Tree?
By FEMA money that reached Lone Tree, Snow (2006): $39K to the City of Lone Tree for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Lone Tree at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Lone Tree’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lone Tree.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lone Tree’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.