Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Sheridan’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #115 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hail (34%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheridan, and Sheridan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #115 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sheridan’s residents live in 5 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, Sheridan has more expected damage per building than 72% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Sheridan: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheridan flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sheridan. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sheridan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Arapahoe County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheridan
Disasters that paid out in Sheridan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sheridan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$3K to the City of Sheridan for repairs
- 2003Snow$2K to the City of Sheridan for repairs
Arapahoe 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 Sheridan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheridan archive →Sheridan and its neighbors
Sheridan is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan
Is Sheridan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #115 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hail (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sheridan 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 Arapahoe County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sheridan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheridan’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 Sheridan?
By FEMA money that reached Sheridan, Snow (2006): $3K to the City of Sheridan for repairs.
Is Sheridan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Sheridan’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheridan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheridan’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.