Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Colorado City’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colorado City gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #350 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then strong wind (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1986.
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 Colorado City 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
Strong wind
Hail
Wildfire
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 Colorado City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colorado City, and Colorado City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #350 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Colorado City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Colorado City has more expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Colorado City: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colorado City flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colorado City, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Colorado City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mitchell County.The storms Colorado City remembers
None of the 8 disasters declared for Mitchell County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Colorado City itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19861 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19871 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19921 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Mitchell County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Mitchell County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Colorado City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colorado City archive →Get ready for what Colorado City 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Colorado City
Is Colorado City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colorado City has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #350 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and strong wind (16%). 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 Colorado City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Colorado City since 1986, $30K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Colorado City 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 Mitchell County, 0.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Colorado City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colorado City’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Colorado City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Colorado City’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colorado City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colorado City’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.