Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 81401, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Montrose, CO (81401) are Inland Flooding, Earthquake, and Lightning.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$5,496,070

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 81401

65.8Score

Relatively High compared to US average

81401
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Earthquake

$935,032

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 81401

73.4Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

81401
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Lightning

$556,534

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 81401

97.0Score

Very High compared to US average

81401
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$5,496,070
Score: 65.8
MAJOR DRIVER
Earthquake
$935,032
Score: 73.4
MAJOR DRIVER
Lightning
$556,534
Score: 97.0
Cold Wave
$88,354
Score: 27.7
Strong Wind
$40,223
Score: 28.1
Drought
$37,908
Score: 73.8
Wildfire
$30,693
Score: 66.0
Tornado
$27,167
Score: 11.2
Winter Weather
$26,654
Score: 62.4
Heat Wave
$18,230
Score: 4.1
Hail
$10,112
Score: 27.1
Ice Storm
$6,262
Score: 13.5
Landslide
$1,549
Score: 35.2

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 65.8
🏠Low Investment

Earthquake Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 73.4
🏠Low Investment

Lightning Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 97.0

Methodology and Sources

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Locations

Zip Code 81415Zip Code 81403Zip Code 81220Zip Code 81425Zip Code 81416Zip Code 81419