Thede Farmhouse · Photo: Bpvideo · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Northglenn than in 73% of U.S. towns, led by hail
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northglenn gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #27 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is hail (49%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2004.
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 Northglenn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northglenn faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hail
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Northglenn’s grade
Hail is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northglenn, and Northglenn’s rate of hail damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 94% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #27 of 159 in Colorado; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northglenn’s residents live in 11 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, Northglenn has less expected damage per building than 84% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Northglenn: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northglenn flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northglenn, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Northglenn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Adams County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northglenn
Disasters that paid out in Northglenn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northglenn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides31 households applied for aid$29K aid approved
- 2006Snow$53K to the City of Northglenn for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the City of Northglenn for repairs
Adams County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Northglenn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northglenn archive →Northglenn and its neighbors
Northglenn is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broomfield | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Northglenn | B+less damage than 73% | hail | 2 |
| Thornton | B+less damage than 66% | hail | 7 |
| Westminster | B+less damage than 65% | hail | 24 |
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 Northglenn faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Northglenn
Is Northglenn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northglenn has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #27 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is hail (49%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northglenn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Northglenn since 2004, $3K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Northglenn 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 Adams County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northglenn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northglenn’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 Northglenn?
By FEMA money that reached Northglenn, Snow (2006): $53K to the City of Northglenn for repairs.
Is Northglenn at risk from hail?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Northglenn’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northglenn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northglenn’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.