Park County, Colorado
County storm and disaster record · FIPS 08093 · population 17,300 · 2,194 sq mi
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 1,119 records for Park County, Colorado from 1950 through June 30, 2026, on 774 days; the most frequent are winter storm records (755 records). 1,045 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 April 20, 2013 avalanche, filed for the forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet, which covers the county: 5 deaths. FEMA has issued 12 declarations naming the county since 1969, 10 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
- 1,119on 774 days, 1950 to June 30, 2026
- Deaths recorded
- 2440 injuries
- Damage, 2025 dollars
- $83Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
- Tornadoes
- 10strongest EF2
- FEMA declarations
- 12latest 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 Park County most?
The most frequent records are winter storm records: 755 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 | 755 | 515 | 1996-2026 | 1 | 3 | $25M | 35 of 63 |
| High wind and dust storms | 236 | 180 | 1996-2026 | 0 | 13 | $30M | 20 of 63 |
| Hail | 42 | 35 | 1961-2026 | 0 | 0 | $80 | 35 of 63 |
| Landslides and avalanches | 32 | 32 | 2005-2025 | 19 | 15 | – | 18 of 63 |
| Drought | 10 | 6 | 2002-2021 | 0 | 0 | – | 32 of 63 |
| Floods | 10 | 10 | 2002-2021 | 0 | 0 | $56K | 52 of 63 |
| Tornadoes | 10 | 7 | 2008-2023 | 0 | 4 | $41K | 36 of 63 |
| Lightning | 8 | 7 | 1997-2018 | 1 | 5 | $56K | 27 of 63 |
| Extreme cold | 6 | 3 | 1996-2025 | 0 | 0 | – | 51 of 63 |
| Wildfires | 6 | 6 | 2012-2025 | 3 | 0 | $28M | 40 of 63 |
| Severe thunderstorm wind | 3 | 3 | 2003-2020 | 0 | 0 | – | 58 of 63 |
| Heavy rain | 1 | 1 | 2019-2019 | 0 | 0 | – | 54 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 Park County had?
NOAA records 10 tornadoes in Park County from 2008 to 2023, the strongest rated EF2, with 0 deaths and 4 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 10 tornadoes whose track touched Park County since 1950 (NOAA's county records number 10, the same count); along their whole tracks they killed 0 people.
Map of the strongest tornado tracks in Colorado.
Every tornado record filed for Park County (10)
| Date | Place | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-06-30 | Guffey, Park County | EF0 0.88 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2023-06-30 | Garo Park, Park County | EFU 0.01 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2021-05-30 | Lake George, Park County | EF0 0.01 mi x 25 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-07-23 | Hartsel, Park County | EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2018-07-05 | Antero Jct, Park County | EF0 0.01 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-06-08 | Fairplay, Park County | EF0 0.1 mi x 50 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-06-08 | Lake George, Park County | EF2 6.63 mi x 150 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2014-06-08 | Fairplay, Park County | EF1 0.25 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2009-08-18 | Lake George, Park County | EF1 9.31 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2008-08-23 | Lake George, Park County | EF1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 4 | $41K |
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 Park County?
The most recent record with damage, injuries or deaths is the February 22, 2025 avalanche (1 death).
A backcountry skier is dead after being buried in an avalanche on Berthoud Pass Saturday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The skier-triggered avalanche happened on Mines Peak east of the pass, in a rocky part of the mountain face known as The Fingers, around 4:45 p.m.
National Weather Service event narrative, NOAA Storm Events Database (search the full record, event 1228812)
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-28 | HailKenosha Pass, Park County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-28 | HailKenosha Pass, Park County | 1.00 in hail | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-05-05 | Winter StormClear Creek County and 4 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-05-05 | Winter StormBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-04-14 | Winter WeatherBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-16 | High WindBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet | 86 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-15 | High WindBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet | 96 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-14 | Strong WindClear Creek County and 4 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 49 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-12 | High WindBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet | 78 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-12 | High WindClear Creek County and 4 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 82 kt wind | 0 | 0 | – |
| 2026-03-06 | Winter WeatherPark County · forecast zone C & Se Park County | 0 | 0 | – | |
| 2026-03-06 | Winter StormClear Creek County and 4 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-04-20 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet A large avalanche killed five snowboarders over Loveland Pass. | 5 | 0 | – | |
| 2012-03-26 | WildfireClear Creek County and 3 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet Strong southwest winds ahead of an approaching cold front produced high to extreme fire danger across the Front Range Foothills and Palmer Divide. As a result, a 50-acre prescribed burn that had been conducted the previous week reignited in the foothills of Jefferson County, southwest of Denver. The strong wind gusts ... | 3 | 0 | $14M | |
| 2023-01-07 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet Two snowmobilers were caught, buried and killed by a large avalanche. | 2 | 0 | – | |
| 2005-03-24 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet Two climbers were caught in an avalanche on the south side of Quandary Peak. One man survived with only minor injuries while his friend was buried and killed. Quandry Peak is located at the south end of the Tenmile Range, the summit is about 6.5 miles SSW of Breckenridge. | 1 | 1 | – | |
| 2025-02-22 | AvalancheBoulder County and 6 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet A backcountry skier is dead after being buried in an avalanche on Berthoud Pass Saturday, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. The skier-triggered avalanche happened on Mines Peak east of the pass, in a rocky part of the mountain face known as The Fingers, around 4:45 p.m. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2023-04-29 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet A backcountry skier was caught in an avalanche on Bald Mountain, which is about seven miles from Breckenridge. The 31-yr old main was caught, buried and killed in a small, but long-running avalanche. He was found buried nearly 2 feet below the surface of the debris. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-12-31 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet A man died in an avalanche outside the Breckenridge Ski Resort boundary on Peak 10. | 1 | 0 | – | |
| 2022-12-26 | AvalancheBoulder County and 4 more · forecast zone S & Se Grand / W Central & Sw Boulder / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Summit / N & W Park Counties Above 9000 Feet A large avalanche completely buried a backcountry skier near Berthoud Pass. He died at the scene of the incident. | 1 | 0 | – |
| Date | Record | Character | Killed | Injured | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-04-09 | High WindClear Creek County and 3 more · forecast zone Southern Front Range Foothills/Clear Creek Basin | 0 | 0 | $24M | |
| 2012-03-26 | WildfireClear Creek County and 3 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 3 | 0 | $14M | |
| 2012-04-01 | WildfireClear Creek County and 3 more · forecast zone Jefferson & W Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet / Gilpin / Clear Creek / Ne Park Counties Below 9000 Feet | 0 | 0 | $14M | |
| 1999-02-02 | High WindClear Creek County and 3 more · forecast zone Southern Front Range Foothills/Clear Creek Basin | 0 | 0 | $5.3M | |
| 2008-08-23 | TornadoLake George, Park County | EF1 1 mi x 100 yd | 0 | 4 | $41K |
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 Park 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 | – | – | – | – | 147 | 218 | 224 | 166 |
| High wind and dust storms | – | – | – | – | 49 | 65 | 57 | 65 |
| Hail | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
| Landslides and avalanches | – | – | – | – | 0 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| Drought | – | – | – | – | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Floods | – | – | – | – | 0 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
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 Park County. The two busiest months are in violet.
The values, month by month
Jan 151 · Feb 132 · Mar 140 · Apr 159 · May 59 · Jun 36 · Jul 20 · Aug 19 · Sep 19 · Oct 88 · Nov 118 · Dec 178 (records).
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.
Federal disaster declarations for Park County
FEMA's register lists 12 declarations that include Park County: 4 major disasters, 4 emergencies and 4 fire management assistance declarations. Most were for fire (5) and biological (2).
| 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 |
| 2008-06-27 | FM-2778 | Fire | Nash Ranch 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 |
| 2002-05-05 | FM-2403 | Fire | Black Mountain Fire |
| 2002-04-23 | FM-2399 | Fire | Co - Snaking Fire - 4/23/2002 |
| 2000-06-12 | FM-2309 | Fire | High Meadows Fire |
| 1977-01-29 | EM-3025 | Drought | Drought |
| 1969-05-19 | DR-261 | Flood | 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 Park County had?
NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 10 flood or flash flood records for Park County from 2002 to 2021, on 10 days, with 0 deaths. By flood insurance claims since 1978 (OpenFEMA, as of September 8, 2026), Park County ranks 2636th of 2,942 U.S. counties.
The National Flood Insurance Program has paid $343 on 4 claims filed in Park County; the most in one year was 1 in 1983. Claims count insured losses only: uninsured flood damage is not in this file.
The values, year by year
1983: 1 · 2000: 1 · 2009: 1 · 2026: 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 Park County
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Park County Very Low overall, with an expected annual loss of $10.9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate | $4.8M | once in about 161 years (modeled) |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate | $161K | about once a year (modeled) |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | $914K | 4.1 a year (modeled) |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | $641K | 66 a year (modeled) |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low | $131K | once in about 3 years (modeled) |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low | $79K | 21 a year (modeled) |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | $4 | once in about 10,000 years (modeled) |
| Earthquake | Very Low | $106K | once in about 951 years (modeled) |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county table, December 2025 release. FEMA's National Risk Index map.
Counties that share a border with Park 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 Park CountyThe hazard risk calculator: 18 hazards beside the county's record
- Download Park County's FEMA declarations (CSV)12 rows: every declaration that named the county, for your own analysis