Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Security-Widefield’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Security-Widefield gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #102 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 19 claims here since 1998.
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 Security-Widefield 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 Security-Widefield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Security-Widefield, and Security-Widefield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C #102 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Security-Widefield’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, Security-Widefield has more expected damage per building than 64% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.4M a year in losses across Security-Widefield: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Security-Widefield flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Security-Widefield, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $5K
Security-Widefield 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.The storms Security-Widefield remembers
None of the 14 disasters declared for El Paso County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Security-Widefield itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19987 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20233 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, declared for El Paso County
- 19992 flood claims paidThe year of Co-flooding 4/30/99, declared for El Paso County
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 Security-Widefield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Security-Widefield archive →Security-Widefield and its neighbors
Security-Widefield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 243 |
| Security-Widefield | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Stratmoor | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Fountain | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Security-Widefield 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Security-Widefield
Is Security-Widefield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Security-Widefield has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #102 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Security-Widefield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Security-Widefield since 1998, $112K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Security-Widefield 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 Security-Widefield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Security-Widefield’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 Security-Widefield?
By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Security-Widefield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Security-Widefield’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Security-Widefield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Security-Widefield’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.