Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Loveland faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loveland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #19 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hail (16%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1978.
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 Loveland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Loveland 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 Loveland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Loveland, and Loveland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 16%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #19 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Loveland’s residents live in 22 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, Loveland has less expected damage per building than 89% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.9M a year in losses across Loveland: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Loveland flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Loveland, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms14 claims · $1.4M
Loveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Larimer County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Loveland
Disasters that paid out in Loveland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Loveland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides671 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$17.7M to the City of Loveland for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$72K to the City of Loveland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$35K to the City of Loveland for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$87K to the City of Loveland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Larimer County has had 14 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.
Also 12 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Larimer County, 2000–2024.
Old photos of Loveland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Loveland archive →Loveland and its neighbors
Loveland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Loveland 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.
- Loveland residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Loveland
Is Loveland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Loveland has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #19 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hail (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Loveland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Loveland since 1978, $1.5M in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (14).
Is Loveland 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 Larimer County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Loveland?
Loveland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Loveland?
By FEMA money that reached Loveland, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 671 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $17.7M to the City of Loveland for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 14 paid, $1.4M.
Is Loveland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Loveland’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Loveland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Loveland’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.