Fremont County, Colorado
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 08043 · population 48,877 · 1,534 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,503 records for Fremont County, Colorado from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 664 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (842 records). 1,300 of them are forecast-zone records, which the National Weather Service files once per zone: a county covered by several zones receives each one, so a single storm can add several records on the same day. The deadliest day on its record was October 24, 1997: blizzard records filed for Fremont County that day count 3 deaths across 3 records. FEMA has issued 15 declarations naming the county since 1965, 13 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides” on July 16, 2015.
The record, 1950 to 2026
Storm records filed for the county each year (2026 to June 30, 2026). Before 1996 NOAA recorded only tornadoes (from 1950), thunderstorm wind and hail (from 1955).
- recorded, no damage figure
- under $100,000
- $100,000 or more
- $1 million or more
- $10 million or more, or a death
- $100 million or more, or 10 deaths
- a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
- a year with a death
- 1955: wind and hail recorded from 1955
- 1996: all 48 event types from 1996
- Storm records
- 1,503on 664 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 78 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $70Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 9strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 15latest 2020
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026 (file revision 20260918); damage converted to 2025 dollars with the BLS CPI-U. Search the record at NCEI. BLS consumer price index.
What hazards hit Fremont County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 842 since 1996. The rank column places the county among Colorado's counties by days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land over each hazard's complete period.
| Hazard | Records | Days | First, last | Killed | Injured | Damage | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | 842 | 349 | 1996-2026 | 4 | 0 | $8.1M | 36 of 63 |
| High wind and dust storms | 372 | 149 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 7 | $5.8M | 15 of 63 |
| Hail | 101 | 67 | 1958-2024 | 0 | 0 | $11K | 30 of 63 |
| Floods | 70 | 49 | 1996-2025 | 2 | 0 | $37M | 10 of 63 |
| Extreme cold | 33 | 7 | 1996-1997 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 63 |
| Wildfires | 32 | 25 | 2002-2018 | 0 | 0 | $19M | 20 of 63 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 14 | 13 | 1984-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 38 of 63 |
| Tornadoes | 9 | 9 | 1985-2016 | 0 | 0 | $130K | 31 of 63 |
| Heavy rain | 7 | 5 | 2019-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 63 |
| Drought | 6 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 49 of 63 |
| Lightning | 6 | 6 | 1997-2019 | 0 | 1 | $293K | 24 of 63 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 6 | 5 | 1996-1998 | 0 | 0 | – | 26 of 63 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 5 | 5 | 2008-2015 | 1 | 0 | – | 37 of 63 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (county and forecast-zone records attributed to the county; a zone record shows its own totals on each county it covers). Days: dates with at least one record of the hazard in the county. Ranks: days with a record per 1,000 square miles of land (Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer), since 1950 for tornadoes, 1955 for hail and thunderstorm wind, 1996 for the rest.
How many tornadoes has Fremont County had?
NOAA records 9 tornadoes in Fremont County from 1985 to 2016, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. That is 31st of 63 Colorado counties by days with tornadoes per 1,000 square miles since 1950. A tornado that crossed a county line is counted in each county it touched, with the length of its path inside the county.
Counted as whole tornadoes rather than county records, the Storm Prediction Center's database holds 9 tornadoes whose track touched Fremont County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 9, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Colorado.
Every tornado record filed for Fremont County (9)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-06-23 | Fremont County Airport, Fremont County | EFU 0.18 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-08-25 | Coal Creek, Fremont County | EF0 0.96 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2004-06-15 | Penrose, Fremont County | F0 1 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2003-09-05 | Penrose, Fremont County | F0 2 mi x 75 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1997-06-05 | Penrose, Fremont County | F0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1989-07-13 | Fremont County | F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1988-04-21 | Fremont County | F1 0.3 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $25K step |
| 1985-07-22 | Fremont County | F1 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K step |
| 1985-07-19 | Fremont County | F1 0.2 mi x 30 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
A damage figure marked "step" is a record from before 1993: NOAA then filed damage by category, and the figure is the category as entered, in the dollars of that year, not an estimate of the loss.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, tornado records by county (path length in the county, maximum width); ratings as published: F scale before February 1, 2007, EF scale after. Whole-track figures: NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950-2025). SPC severe weather database.
When was the last damaging storm in Fremont County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the July 1, 2019 lightning (1 injury).
One confirmed lightning injury occurred in downtown Canon City. An 11 year old female was struck inside her home near a sink and had to be transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 848189)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-05 | Heavy SnowEl Paso County and 2 more · forecast zone Teller County / Rampart Range Above 7500 Ft / Pikes Peak Between 7500 & 11000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-05 | Heavy SnowCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-05 | Heavy SnowAlamosa County and 6 more · forecast zone Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Between 8500 & 11000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-14 | High WindCuster County and 2 more · forecast zone Canon City Vicinity / Eastern Fremont County | 53 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-14 | High WindEl Paso County and 2 more · forecast zone Teller County / Rampart Range Above 7500 Ft / Pikes Peak Between 7500 & 11000 Ft | 66 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | Heavy SnowEl Paso County and 2 more · forecast zone Teller County / Rampart Range Above 7500 Ft / Pikes Peak Between 7500 & 11000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-06 | Heavy SnowCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-23 | Heavy SnowCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-08 | Heavy SnowCuster County and 2 more · forecast zone Canon City Vicinity / Eastern Fremont County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-08 | Heavy SnowEl Paso County and 2 more · forecast zone Teller County / Rampart Range Above 7500 Ft / Pikes Peak Between 7500 & 11000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-08 | Heavy SnowFremont County · forecast zone West / Central Fremont County Below 8500 Ft | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-01-08 | Heavy SnowCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | – |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database; every record of 2025-2026 is listed, earlier ones when they caused deaths, injuries or $250,000 of damage (2025 dollars), and every tornado.
The deadliest and costliest records
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-08-06 | FloodCanon City, Fremont County Heavy rain caused small stream and urban flooding in the Canon City area. Two young boys playing in an irrigation ditch were swept to their deaths shortly after 1:00 p.m. MST. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2008-01-10 | AvalancheAlamosa County and 4 more · forecast zone Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft A deadly avalanche occurred on the east slope of Blanca Peak. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-12-24 | Heavy SnowAlamosa County and 4 more · forecast zone Pueblo And Eastern Fremont Counties/Pueblo And Vicinity An upper level low pressure system combined with upslope northerly winds at the surface to produce widespread snow across the southeast mountains and adjoining plains starting the morning of the 24th and lasting into Christmas morning. Storm totals ranged from 4 to 9 inches in and around the Wet Mountains. However, 12 ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 1997-10-24 | BlizzardAlamosa County and 4 more · forecast zone Pueblo And Eastern Fremont Counties/Pueblo And Vicinity | 1 | 0 | $368K | |
| 1997-10-24 | BlizzardFremont County · forecast zone Crowley And Otero Counties/La Junta And Vicinity While blizzards are not uncommon in Colorado, the widespread areal extent of this blizzard was, perhaps a one in 50 year event. A powerful low pressure system moved in from the northwest through Utah, and settled into northern New Mexico. Meantime, arctic air invaded eastern Colorado, setting the stage for high winds, ... | 1 | 0 | $184K | |
| 1997-10-24 | BlizzardCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Bent County/Las Animas And Vicinity While blizzards are not uncommon in Colorado, the widespread areal extent of this blizzard was, perhaps a one in 50 year event. A powerful low pressure system moved in from the northwest through Utah, and settled into northern New Mexico. Meantime, arctic air invaded eastern Colorado, setting the stage for high winds, ... | 1 | 0 | $184K | |
| 1996-02-22 | High WindAlamosa County and 4 more · forecast zone Northern Sangre De Cristo Mountains Above 11000 Ft High winds occurred along the lee slopes of the Rampart Range and Wet Mountains in the morning hours. Winds gusted to over 60 knots throughout much of that area...with a peak gust of 76 knots at Monument in El Paso county. Winds at the Air Force Academy gusted to 72 knots. Damage to roofs...shingles and fences was ... | 0 | 6 | $282K | |
| 2019-07-01 | LightningCanon City, Fremont County One confirmed lightning injury occurred in downtown Canon City. An 11 year old female was struck inside her home near a sink and had to be transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-04-30 | FloodAlamosa County and 4 more · forecast zone Pueblo And Eastern Fremont Counties/Pueblo And Vicinity | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 1999-05-01 | FloodFremont County · forecast zone Crowley And Otero Counties/La Junta And Vicinity | 0 | 0 | $12M | |
| 2002-06-02 | WildfireTexas Creek, Fremont County | 0 | 0 | $8.2M | |
| 2005-07-06 | WildfireCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | $8.0M | |
| 2001-04-11 | BlizzardCostilla County and 4 more · forecast zone Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge | 0 | 0 | $6.7M | |
| 1999-04-30 | FloodCostilla County and 4 more · forecast zone Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge | 0 | 0 | $3.5M | |
| 2006-07-05 | Flash FloodPenrose, Fremont County | 0 | 0 | $2.9M | |
| 2012-10-23 | WildfireCuster County and 3 more · forecast zone Wet Mountains Between 8500 And 10000 Ft | 0 | 0 | $2.6M |
Before 1993 NOAA filed damage by category, not amount, so the list above starts in 1993. The highest category filed here before then (entered as $25K, in the dollars of the day) holds: April 21, 1988 (tornado, Fremont County); July 13, 1989 (tornado, Fremont County).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: deaths and injuries direct and indirect; damage is property plus crops as estimated by the National Weather Service, converted to 2025 dollars.
Is it getting more frequent?
Records per decade for Fremont County's most frequent hazards. Counts rose everywhere after 1996, when NOAA began recording every event type, so compare decades within a hazard's complete period only (the shaded cells come before it).
| Hazard | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms | – | – | – | – | 124 | 276 | 218 | 224 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 49 | 107 | 103 | 113 |
| Hail | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 40 | 20 | 16 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 18 | 8 | 22 | 22 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 0 | 5 | 27 z | 0 |
Wildfires in the 2010s: 27 records against 5 in the decade before, 27 of them forecast-zone records. Cells marked z rose mostly through zone records. The local National Weather Service office files these once per forecast zone, so a change in how it draws its zones or splits a storm into records moves this count as much as the weather does; read it beside the Fremont County days with a record above.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records per calendar decade; zone records from the CZ_TYPE field (Z).
What time of year?
Records by month in Fremont County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 181 · Feb 188 · Mar 179 · Apr 211 · May 75 · Jun 72 · Jul 78 · Aug 64 · Sep 32 · Oct 109 · Nov 112 · Dec 202 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Fremont County
FEMA's register lists 15 declarations that include Fremont County: 7 major disasters, 5 emergencies and 3 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (5) and flood (3).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4498 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3436 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2015-07-16 | DR-4229 | Flood | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2013-09-14 | DR-4145 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2013-09-12 | EM-3365 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| 2013-07-26 | DR-4133 | Fire | Royal Gorge Fire |
| 2013-06-11 | FM-5028 | Fire | Royal Gorge Fire |
| 2011-06-16 | FM-2923 | Fire | Duckett Fire |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3224 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-04-09 | EM-3185 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2002-06-19 | DR-1421 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 2002-06-02 | FM-2410 | Fire | Iron Mountain Fire |
| 1999-05-17 | DR-1276 | Severe Storm | Co-Flooding 4/30/99 |
| 1977-01-29 | EM-3025 | Drought | Drought |
| 1965-06-19 | DR-200 | Tornado | Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2), declarations through October 2, 2026; one declaration is counted once however many areas it names. OpenFEMA dataset page.
How many floods has Fremont County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 70 flood or flash flood records for Fremont County from 1996 to 2025, on 49 days, with 2 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Fremont County ranks 1470th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $344,000 on 72 claims filed in Fremont County; the most in one year was 23 in 1996. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1980: 2 · 1982: 1 · 1985: 1 · 1991: 7 · 1994: 1 · 1995: 2 · 1996: 23 · 1997: 4 · 1998: 1 · 1999: 4 · 2000: 3 · 2002: 2 · 2003: 1 · 2008: 1 · 2009: 3 · 2010: 2 · 2013: 6 · 2015: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2025: 1; the other years: 0.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims, as of September 8, 2026; claims by year of loss, payments in the dollars of the year paid. OpenFEMA dataset page.
FEMA's modeled risk for Fremont County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Fremont County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $22.4 million. These are FEMA's model estimates of future loss from 18 hazards, not a count of what happened; they can differ from the record above.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Expected annual loss | Modeled frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | Relatively High | $1.7M | 65 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $2.3M | once in about 297 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $80K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate | $221K | 12 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $885K | 3.5 a year (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | $16M | 1.6 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $49K | 51 modeled event-days a year |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low | $179K | 0.3 modeled event-days a year |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Fremont County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records since 1950. The Census Bureau's adjacency file.
Next
- Tornadoes in ColoradoEvery Colorado tornado since 1950 and the counties with the most per square mile
- Winter storms in ColoradoThe state's winter storm records, by county, year and month
- The Colorado recordEvery hazard in the state, its deadliest events and its federal declarations
- FEMA's risk rating for each hazard in Fremont CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Fremont County's FEMA declarations (CSV)15 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis