Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Parker as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #80 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2023.
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 Parker 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
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 Parker’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parker, and Parker’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #80 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Parker’s residents live in 15 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, Parker has more expected damage per building than 50% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.5M a year in losses across Parker: $13.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parker flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parker, 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.
Parker is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Douglas County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parker
Disasters that paid out in Parker itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Parker), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$219K to the Town of Parker for repairs
- 2003Snow$66K to the Town of Parker 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 Parker after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parker archive →Parker and its neighbors
Parker is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepping Stone | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Stonegate | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Aurora | B−more damage than 50% | hail | 35 |
| Parker | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 Parker 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.
- 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.
- Parker 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 Parker
Is Parker at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parker has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #80 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Parker flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Parker since 2023, $16K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Parker 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 Parker?
Parker 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 Parker?
By FEMA money that reached Parker, Snow (2006): $219K to the Town of Parker for repairs.
Is Parker at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Parker’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parker.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parker’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.