Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Monument than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from wildfire
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monument gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #141 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is wildfire (58%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Monument faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Wildfire
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
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 Monument’s grade
Wildfire is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monument, and Monument’s rate of wildfire damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #141 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monument’s residents live in 4 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, Monument has more expected damage per building than 89% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Monument: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monument flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monument, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Monument isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: El Paso County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monument
Disasters that paid out in Monument itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Monument), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2006Snow$5K to the Town of Monument for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Monument for repairs
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 Monument after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monument archive →Monument and its neighbors
Monument is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gleneagle | C+more damage than 65% | wildfire | — |
| Woodmoor | C−more damage than 83% | wildfire | — |
| Monument | Dmore damage than 88% | wildfire | 1 |
| Palmer Lake | D−more damage than 96% | wildfire | 1 |
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 Monument faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Monument
Is Monument at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monument has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #141 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is wildfire (58%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monument flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Monument since 2015, $2K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Monument 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 Monument?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monument’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 Monument?
By FEMA money that reached Monument, Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2013): 4 households applied for aid, $18K approved.
Is Monument at risk from wildfire?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Monument’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monument.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monument’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.