Photo: Smallbones · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Manitou Springs than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manitou Springs gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then wildfire (25%). Flood insurance has paid 67 claims here since 1988.
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 Manitou Springs’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manitou 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
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 Manitou Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manitou Springs, and Manitou Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 25%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #158 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manitou Springs’ residents live in 3 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, Manitou Springs has more expected damage per building than 99% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Manitou Springs: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manitou Springs flood? Sometimes: 67 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manitou Springs, from FEMA’s records: 25.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms10 claims · $366K
Manitou Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manitou Springs
Disasters that paid out in Manitou Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manitou Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides179 households applied for aid$168K aid approved51 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Snow$4K to the City of Manitou Springs for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$124K to the City of Manitou Springs for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
El Paso County has had 14 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 El Paso County, 2012–2013.
Old photos of Manitou Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manitou Springs archive →Manitou Springs and its neighbors
Manitou Springs is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Manitou Springs | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
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 Manitou 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.
- 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.
- Manitou Springs residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Manitou Springs
Is Manitou Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manitou Springs has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and wildfire (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manitou Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 67 claims in Manitou Springs since 1988, $2.9M in all, or 25.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (10).
Is Manitou 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 El Paso County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manitou Springs?
Manitou Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Manitou Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Manitou Springs, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 179 households applied for aid, $168K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 10 paid, $366K.
Is Manitou Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Manitou Springs’ rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manitou Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manitou 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.