Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rocky Ford than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rocky Ford gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #118 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1997.
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 Rocky Ford 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
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 Rocky Ford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rocky Ford, and Rocky Ford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #118 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rocky Ford’s residents live in 2 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, Rocky Ford has more expected damage per building than 74% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Rocky Ford: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rocky Ford flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rocky Ford, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rocky Ford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otero County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rocky Ford
Disasters that paid out in Rocky Ford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rocky Ford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$18K to the City of Rocky Ford for repairs
- 1999Co-flooding 4/30/99$21K to the City of Rocky Ford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Otero County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Rocky Ford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rocky Ford archive →Get ready for what Rocky Ford 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.
- 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 Rocky Ford
Is Rocky Ford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rocky Ford has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #118 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rocky Ford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Rocky Ford since 1997, $22K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Rocky Ford 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 Otero County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Rocky Ford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rocky Ford’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 Rocky Ford?
By FEMA money that reached Rocky Ford, Co-flooding 4/30/99 (1999): $21K to the City of Rocky Ford for repairs.
Is Rocky Ford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Rocky Ford’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rocky Ford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rocky Ford’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.