Natural Disaster Risk in Buffalo Creek
Colorado
Risk Summary for Buffalo Creek
Buffalo Creek scores 8.0/10 (Very High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Hail.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
High-risk area — review your coverage carefully
Properties in very high-risk areas often require specialized coverage that standard homeowners policies do not include. Consider flood insurance through the NFIP, wildfire-specific endorsements, or earthquake riders depending on your top hazards. Premiums in these areas can be significantly higher than average.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Buffalo Creek, Colorado
Buffalo Creek, in Jefferson County, is a small unincorporated community situated in the Great Plains. Its semi-arid continental climate brings dry air, significant mountain snowfall, and rapid weather changes, and in particular dramatic spring snowstorms and summer hailstorms. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Buffalo Creek residents and property owners must navigate.
Buffalo Creek's overall natural disaster risk is rated 8.0/10 (Very High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. Hailstorm risk tops the local hazard profile, driven by frequent severe thunderstorm development that produces some of the most property-damaging hail in the country. Secondary hazards include lightning and wildfire.
Within Colorado, Buffalo Creek's risk is, considerably above the 5.2/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Jefferson County identifies hail as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and wildfire. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Given Buffalo Creek's very high risk classification, residents should treat disaster preparedness as a year-round priority. This means maintaining updated homeowners and flood insurance, building a 72-hour emergency kit, knowing the evacuation routes for the primary hazards, and signing up for local emergency alert systems.
What this means for Buffalo Creek: Hail preparedness
- Document roof and property condition annually to streamline any future hail claims.
- Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing can reduce hail damage and may lower insurance premiums.
- Park vehicles under cover when severe storms are forecast to avoid costly hail damage.
Local Factors for Buffalo Creek
These city-level factors differentiate Buffalo Creek from other communities in Jefferson County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
243
RuralGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 39.3°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
High — long dry fire season
Fire score: 10.0/10
Coordinates
39.3471° N, 105.2316° W
Jefferson County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Buffalo Creek
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Buffalo Creek
Other cities in Colorado
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.