Photo: Orange Suede Sofa · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Denver than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denver gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Denver 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
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 Denver’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Denver, and Denver’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Denver’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $993K a year in losses across Denver: $644K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Denver flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Denver, from FEMA’s records: 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Denver isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bremer County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Denver
Disasters that paid out in Denver itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Denver), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding58 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$61K to the City of Denver for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$27K to the City of Denver for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1999Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$44K to the City of Denver for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Bremer 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.
Old photos of Denver after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Denver archive →Get ready for what Denver 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.
- 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 Denver
Is Denver at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Denver has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 Denver flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Denver since 1979, $98K in all, or 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Denver 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 Bremer County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Denver?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Denver’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 Denver?
By FEMA money that reached Denver, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 58 households applied for aid, $38K approved, and $61K to the City of Denver for repairs.
Is Denver at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Denver’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Denver.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Denver’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.