Jackson County, Colorado
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 08057 · population 1,355 · 1,614 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 570 records for Jackson County, Colorado from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 387 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (493 records). 559 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 single record is the December 26, 2008 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet, which covers the county: 2 deaths. FEMA has issued 6 declarations naming the county since 1977, 4 of them for natural hazards; the latest for a natural hazard was “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation” on September 5, 2005.
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
- 570on 387 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 129 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $87Kas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 6latest 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 Jackson County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 493 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 | 493 | 323 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 40 of 63 |
| High wind and dust storms | 41 | 39 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 3 | – | 55 of 63 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 14 | 14 | 2005-2025 | 11 | 6 | – | 25 of 63 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 2 | 2022-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 53 of 63 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 5 | 5 | 1993-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 52 of 63 |
| Drought | 3 | 1 | 2002-2002 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 63 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 3 | 1974-2018 | 0 | 0 | – | 42 of 63 |
| Wildfires | 2 | 2 | 2020-2024 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 of 63 |
| Floods | 1 | 1 | 2011-2011 | 0 | 0 | $7K | 62 of 63 |
| Hail | 1 | 1 | 2021-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 60 of 63 |
| Lightning | 1 | 1 | 2024-2024 | 1 | 0 | $80K | 48 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 Jackson County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Jackson County from 1974 to 2018, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 0 injuries recorded in the county. 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 3 tornadoes whose track touched Jackson County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 3, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Colorado.
Every tornado record filed for Jackson County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-06-24 | Coalmont, Jackson County | EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-05-28 | Rand, Jackson County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 1974-05-10 | Jackson County | F1 0.3 mi x 33 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
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 Jackson County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the May 25, 2024 lightning (1 death and $80,000 in damage in 2025 dollars).
A lightning strike killed a 51 year old man while he was feeding his herd. In addition, 34 cattle were killed as well. Estimated that each cow cost $2,500.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1171119)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 | Winter WeatherJackson County · forecast zone Jackson County Below 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-17 | Winter StormBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-05 | Winter StormBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-14 | Winter WeatherBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-14 | Winter WeatherGrand County and Jackson County · forecast zone West Jackson & West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-05 | Winter StormBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-24 | Heavy SnowBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-02-24 | Heavy SnowGrand County and Jackson County · forecast zone West Jackson & West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-27 | Winter StormGrand County and Jackson County · forecast zone West Jackson & West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2025-12-17 | High WindBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 74 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-11 | High WindBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 65 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2025-12-09 | High WindBoulder County and 3 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet | 62 kt wind | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-12-26 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet Two snowmobilers were killed on the side of Gravel Mountain near Grand Lake. The avalanche occurred when one of the men tried to assist the other, after his snowmobile had become stuck in the snow. Both men were buried by the slide and died at the scene of the accident. Another snowmobiler was partially buried in the ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2006-01-01 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet Two snowmobilers from Iowa were buried and killed in an avalanche in the Trap Park area of the Front Range, about 3.5 miles east-northeast of Cameron Pass. There were 12 snowmobilers in the party. Seven were caught, five partly buried and two fully buried; both buried riders were killed. The data was provided by the ... | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-05-29 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet Three climbers were caught in a rockslide and avalanche. | 1 | 2 | – | |
| 2013-03-17 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet A climber was killed and his partner seriously injured when they were caught in an avalanche while descending Ypsilon Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The victim and his partner were caught in the slide on the north side of Blitzen Ridge on the 13,514 foot Ypsilon Mountain. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2013-03-02 | AvalancheGrand County and Jackson County · forecast zone West Jackson & West Grand Counties Above 9000 Feet A student from Colorado State Univeristy was killed in an avalanche near Cameron Pass. Two men were skiing in the backcountry near the Nokhu Crags in an area known as the Paradise Bowl. They had finished their run, and their dog was running down the tracks when the slide let loose. The victim's friend, also a college ... | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2024-05-25 | LightningRand, Jackson County A lightning strike killed a 51 year old man while he was feeding his herd. In addition, 34 cattle were killed as well. Estimated that each cow cost $2,500. | 1 | 0 | $80K | |
| 2021-12-24 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet A backcountry skier was killed after being caught and fully buried in an avalanche. The avalanche occurred near Cameron Pass at 10,500 feet on the southeast portion of South Diamond Peak. The avalanche broke on a layer of snow 1 to 2 feet below the snow surface, and it was about 150 feet wide. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2021-02-16 | AvalancheGrand County and 2 more · forecast zone S & E Jackson / Larimer / N & Ne Grand / Nw Boulder Counties Above 9000 Feet A snowmobiler was killed by an avalanche on Ruby Mountain, southeast of Rand. | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-05-25 | LightningRand, Jackson County | 1 | 0 | $80K |
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 Jackson 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 | – | – | – | – | 57 | 82 | 212 | 142 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 17 | 7 | 11 |
| Landslides and avalanches | – | – | – | – | 0 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
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 Jackson County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 92 · Feb 77 · Mar 61 · Apr 75 · May 34 · Jun 5 · Jul 3 · Aug 0 · Sep 5 · Oct 38 · Nov 79 · Dec 101 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Jackson County
FEMA's register lists 6 declarations that include Jackson County: 2 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 0 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for biological (2) and coastal storm (1).
| Declared | Number | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-28 | DR-4498 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| 2020-03-13 | EM-3436 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 2005-09-05 | EM-3224 | Coastal Storm | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| 2003-04-09 | EM-3185 | Snowstorm | Snow |
| 2002-06-19 | DR-1421 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 1977-01-29 | EM-3025 | Drought | Drought |
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.
FEMA's modeled risk for Jackson County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Jackson County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $4.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | Very High | $4.0M | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $4K | once in about 2 years (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Very Low | $9K | once in about 2,003 years (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $0 | once in about 10,000 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $22K | once in about 903 years (modeled) |
| Lightning | Very Low | $45K | 54 a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Very Low | $37K | 1 a year (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | $4K | 22 a year (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Jackson 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 Jackson CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Jackson County's FEMA declarations (CSV)6 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis