Photo: katkimchee · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Steamboat Springs than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steamboat Springs gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #128 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Steamboat Springs, and Steamboat Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #128 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Steamboat Springs’ residents live in 6 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, Steamboat Springs has more expected damage per building than 80% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.4M a year in losses across Steamboat Springs: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Steamboat Springs flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Steamboat Springs, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Steamboat Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Routt County.The storms Steamboat Springs remembers
None of the 3 disasters declared for Routt County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Steamboat Springs itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20113 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19842 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides and Flooding, declared for Routt County
- 19972 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Routt County has had 3 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Steamboat Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Steamboat Springs archive →Get ready for what Steamboat Springs 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.
- Steamboat Springs residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Steamboat Springs
Is Steamboat Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Steamboat Springs has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #128 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Steamboat Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Steamboat Springs since 1978, $138K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Steamboat Springs 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 Routt County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Steamboat Springs?
Steamboat Springs is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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.
Is Steamboat Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Steamboat Springs’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Steamboat Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Steamboat Springs’ 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.