Montrose County, Colorado
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 08085 · population 42,636 · 2,241 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 2,018 records for Montrose County, Colorado from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 1,056 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (894 records). 1,888 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 January 7, 2025 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains, which covers the county: 1 death. FEMA has issued 9 declarations naming the county since 1970, 7 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
- 2,018on 1,056 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 510 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $218Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 3strongest F1
- FEMA declarations
- 9latest 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 Montrose County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 894 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 | 894 | 565 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $27K | 33 of 63 |
| Drought | 545 | 142 | 2002-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 12 of 63 |
| Extreme cold | 220 | 129 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | $31M | 3 of 63 |
| High wind and dust storms | 81 | 63 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 0 | $495K | 49 of 63 |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | 78 | 65 | 1997-2026 | 0 | 0 | – | 6 of 63 |
| Wildfires | 62 | 46 | 1999-2025 | 0 | 3 | $185M | 16 of 63 |
| Floods | 40 | 34 | 1996-2023 | 0 | 0 | $1.2M | 29 of 63 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 30 | 29 | 1972-2024 | 0 | 0 | $110K | 34 of 63 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 26 | 25 | 2005-2026 | 3 | 5 | $9K | 21 of 63 |
| Heavy rain | 16 | 14 | 1998-2017 | 0 | 0 | – | 15 of 63 |
| Hail | 14 | 14 | 1968-2023 | 0 | 0 | – | 43 of 63 |
| Lightning | 6 | 6 | 1996-2024 | 2 | 1 | $472K | 30 of 63 |
| Heat | 3 | 3 | 2021-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 9 of 63 |
| Tornadoes | 3 | 3 | 2004-2005 | 0 | 1 | $35K | 45 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 Montrose County had?
NOAA records 3 tornadoes in Montrose County from 2004 to 2005, the strongest rated F1, with 0 deaths and 1 injury 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 Montrose 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 Montrose County (3)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-10-04 | Bedrock, Montrose County | F1 0.7 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $2K |
| 2005-05-06 | Olathe, Montrose County | F1 0.3 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 1 | $30K |
| 2004-05-13 | Maher, Montrose County | F1 0.7 mi x 20 yd | 0 | 0 | $3K |
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 Montrose County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 21, 2026 avalanche (1 injury).
On the accident day, the avalanche danger in the area was rated 3/5 - Considerable at all levels, below, near, and above treeline. Avalanche danger was rated on all aspects, with large to very large avalanches likely west through north to east aspects, and small avalanches possible on southwest through southeast aspects. Avalanche discussion indicated that recent avalanches in the area had been large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person, and could be triggered remotely, from a distance or below, and could travel long distances. The accident group consisted of three backcountry tourers, 1 split board rider and 2 skiers, and the intention was to ski a southwest slope from a sub-peak south of Bonita Peak into Minnehaha Basin (37.893, -107.625). Before ascending toward their destination, they stomped on several areas of drifted snow with no reaction. …
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1315393)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-13 | High WindDelta County and 3 more · forecast zone Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin | 52 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-06 | Winter WeatherDelta County and 2 more · forecast zone West Elk And Sawatch Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtDolores County and 3 more · forecast zone Paradox Valley / Lower Dolores River Basin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtDelta County and 4 more · forecast zone Uncompahgre Plateau And Dallas Divide | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtGunnison County and Montrose County · forecast zone Upper Gunnison River Valley | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtDelta County and 2 more · forecast zone West Elk And Sawatch Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | DroughtDelta County and 3 more · forecast zone Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | Winter WeatherGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | Heavy SnowDelta County and 4 more · forecast zone Uncompahgre Plateau And Dallas Divide | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-01 | Winter StormDelta County and 2 more · forecast zone West Elk And Sawatch Mountains | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-31 | Winter WeatherGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-07 | AvalancheGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains The Colorado Avalanche Information Center provided all the information regarding this fatal avalanche accident. The incident occurred in the Northwest San Juan Mountains, on the slopes of Red Mountain #3. The snowpack in this location was known to be weak, and the avalanche danger on the day of the accident was rated ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-02-11 | AvalancheDelta County and 2 more · forecast zone West Elk And Sawatch Mountains Avalanche danger on the day of the accident was rated at Moderate to Considerable. A group of backcountry skiers planned to ski a steep basin on the east end of Ohio Peak, known locally as The Playground. The group triggered several small avalanches remotely over the course of the day, before directly triggering ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2024-01-22 | AvalancheGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains A backcountry skier, who was alone, triggered an avalanche in Waterfall Canyon, south of the town of Ophir. Avalanche danger was rated as moderate (2/5) to Considerable (3/5) on the day. The skier was caught, managed to self extricate, but succumbed to injury and exposure roughly 500-600 feet below the avalanche. The ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2006-09-07 | LightningUravan, Montrose County A hunter was scouting for game in the Spiny Creek area with a video camera and apparently sought shelter under a 12 foot juniper tree when thunderstorms moved into the area. The victim was found under the tree which had bark blown off from the lightning strike. The lightning obviously started a fire which was later ... | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2004-05-12 | LightningMontrose County Lightning struck a ranch worker and a dog, killing both. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2006-02-15 | WildfireDelta County and Montrose County · forecast zone Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin Strong winds ignited a wildfire northwest of Olathe in the Dry Creek area. Wind gusts around 60 mph blew ash from a smoldering pile of debris into nearby grasses, igniting them. The fire quickly spread and crossed from Montrose County into Delta County. At least 12 structures wear reportedly threatened. Flame lengths ... | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2026-02-21 | AvalancheGunnison County and 4 more · forecast zone Northwestern San Juan Mountains On the accident day, the avalanche danger in the area was rated 3/5 - Considerable at all levels, below, near, and above treeline. Avalanche danger was rated on all aspects, with large to very large avalanches likely west through north to east aspects, and small avalanches possible on southwest through southeast ... | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 2025-04-19 | AvalancheDelta County and 2 more · forecast zone West Elk And Sawatch Mountains Per the CAIC forecast for the day of the incident, the overall avalanche threat in the area of the incident was rated as Moderate (2/5), with Low (1/5) being the lowest threat and Extreme (5/5) being the highest. The breakdown at different elevation bands gave Moderate (2/5) threats Near and Above treeline, while ... | 0 | 1 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-07-10 | WildfireDelta County and 4 more · forecast zone Uncompahgre Plateau And Dallas Divide | 0 | 0 | $40M | |
| 2025-08-01 | WildfireDelta County and 4 more · forecast zone Uncompahgre Plateau And Dallas Divide | 0 | 0 | $40M | |
| 2025-09-01 | WildfireDelta County and 4 more · forecast zone Uncompahgre Plateau And Dallas Divide | 0 | 0 | $40M | |
| 1997-04-12 | Frost/FreezeDelta County and Montrose County · forecast zone Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin/Montrose And Vicinity | 0 | 0 | $17M | |
| 2025-07-10 | WildfireGunnison County and Montrose County · forecast zone Upper Gunnison River Valley | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 2025-08-01 | WildfireGunnison County and Montrose County · forecast zone Upper Gunnison River Valley | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 2025-09-01 | WildfireGunnison County and Montrose County · forecast zone Upper Gunnison River Valley | 0 | 0 | $15M | |
| 1996-04-29 | Frost/FreezeDelta County and Montrose County · forecast zone Central Gunnison And Uncompahgre River Basin | 0 | 0 | $13M |
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 Montrose 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 | – | – | – | – | 82 | 251 | 339 | 222 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 259 | 161 | 125 |
| Extreme cold | – | – | – | – | 2 | 59 | 56 | 103 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 6 | 25 | 6 | 44 z |
| Fog, smoke and funnel clouds | – | – | – | – | 2 | 14 | 39 | 23 |
| Wildfires | – | – | – | – | 1 | 12 | 22 | 27 |
High wind and dust storms in the 2020-26: 44 records against 6 in the decade before, 44 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 Montrose 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 Montrose County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 300 · Feb 223 · Mar 194 · Apr 216 · May 117 · Jun 88 · Jul 103 · Aug 97 · Sep 108 · Oct 150 · Nov 173 · Dec 249 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Montrose County
FEMA's register lists 9 declarations that include Montrose County: 5 major disasters, 3 emergencies and one fire management assistance declaration. Most were for flood (3) and biological (2).
| 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 |
| 2002-07-15 | FM-2442 | Fire | Co - Burn Canyon Fire - 07/15/02 |
| 2002-06-19 | DR-1421 | Fire | Wildfires |
| 1984-07-27 | DR-719 | Flood | Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding |
| 1977-01-29 | EM-3025 | Drought | Drought |
| 1973-07-06 | DR-396 | Flood | Flooding & Landslides |
| 1970-09-22 | DR-293 | Flood | Heavy Rains & 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 Montrose County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 40 flood or flash flood records for Montrose County from 1996 to 2023, on 34 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Montrose County ranks 2523rd of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $60,000 on 6 claims filed in Montrose County; the most in one year was 1 in 1984. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1984: 1 · 1992: 1 · 2010: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2021: 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 Montrose County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Montrose County Relatively Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $15.6 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 | $1.0M | 53 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate | $378K | 1.1 a year (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Low | $21K | 1.4 a year (modeled) |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | $354K | once in about 1,083 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low | $1.3M | once in about 577 years (modeled) |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Low | $12M | 1.2 a year (modeled) |
| Drought | Relatively Low | $254K | 82 modeled event-days a year |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $54K | 17 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 Montrose 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 Montrose CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Montrose County's FEMA declarations (CSV)9 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis