Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Walsenburg than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walsenburg gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #143 of 159 in Colorado. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2005.
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 Walsenburg 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 Walsenburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walsenburg, and Walsenburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #143 of 159 in Colorado; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Walsenburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Colorado town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Walsenburg has more expected damage per building than 90% of Colorado towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Walsenburg: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walsenburg flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walsenburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Walsenburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Huerfano County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Walsenburg
Disasters that paid out in Walsenburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Walsenburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Snow$5K to the City of Walsenburg for repairs
Huerfano County has had 4 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Huerfano County, 2006–2018.
Old photos of Walsenburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walsenburg archive →Get ready for what Walsenburg 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 Walsenburg
Is Walsenburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walsenburg has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #143 of 159 in Colorado. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walsenburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Walsenburg since 2005, $1K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Walsenburg 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 Huerfano County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Walsenburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walsenburg’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 Walsenburg?
By FEMA money that reached Walsenburg, Snow (2006): $5K to the City of Walsenburg for repairs.
Is Walsenburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Walsenburg’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walsenburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walsenburg’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.