Arapahoe County Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Colorado Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Arapahoe County is much higher than Colorado average and is much higher than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Arapahoe County is much higher than Colorado average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #4
| Arapahoe County | 4.11 |
| Colorado | 1.32 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #26
| Arapahoe County | 0.0000 |
| Colorado | 0.0009 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #3
| Arapahoe County | 259.01 |
| Colorado | 117.98 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 8,479 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Arapahoe County were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 7 | Cold: | 1 | Dense Fog: | 1 | Drought: | 40 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 363 | Hail: | 6,050 | Heat: | 0 | Heavy Snow: | 43 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 0 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 51 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,311 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 13 | Winter Storm: | 35 | Winter Weather: | 7 |
| Other: | 557 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Arapahoe County.
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 29 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Arapahoe County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 26.3 | 1967-08-09 | 5.3 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.7 |
| 31.4 | 1967-11-27 | 5.2 | N/A | 40 | -104.7 |
| 22.3 | 1966-01-05 | 5 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.7 |
| 39.6 | 1965-02-16 | 4.9 | N/A | 39.9 | -105 |
| 30.5 | 1967-04-10 | 4.8 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.8 |
| 31.9 | 1965-09-14 | 4.8 | N/A | 39.5 | -104.9 |
| 22.7 | 1965-09-14 | 4.7 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.6 |
| 27.1 | 1965-09-14 | 4.7 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.8 |
| 32.0 | 1965-11-21 | 4.7 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.9 |
| 42.2 | 1965-09-29 | 4.7 | N/A | 39.8 | -105.1 |
| 17.8 | 1963-07-02 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.6 |
| 27.1 | 1965-11-21 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.8 |
| 27.1 | 1965-09-29 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.8 |
| 27.1 | 1965-09-29 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.8 |
| 30.4 | 1965-07-31 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.7 | -104.9 |
| 44.4 | 1965-02-16 | 4.6 | N/A | 39.9 | -105.1 |
| 27.1 | 1965-09-13 | 4.5 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.8 |
| 26.3 | 1967-11-27 | 4.4 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.7 |
| 26.3 | 1965-11-21 | 4.4 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.7 |
| 26.3 | 1967-04-27 | 4.4 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.7 |
| 29.6 | 1963-06-05 | 4.4 | N/A | 39.3 | -104 |
| 30.5 | 1971-08-08 | 4.4 | 5 | 39.9 | -104.8 |
| 25.2 | 1967-02-03 | 4.3 | N/A | 39.7 | -104.8 |
| 26.3 | 1966-11-14 | 4.3 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.7 |
| 44.4 | 1970-05-23 | 4.1 | 5 | 39.9 | -105.1 |
| 22.7 | 1962-12-05 | 4 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.6 |
| 37.6 | 1981-04-02 | 3.8 | 9 | 39.91 | -104.95 |
| 22.7 | 1967-11-15 | 3.7 | N/A | 39.9 | -104.6 |
| 22.3 | 1962-12-04 | 3.5 | N/A | 39.8 | -104.7 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 40 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Arapahoe County.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 5.7 | 1996-07-13 | 2 | 39°48'N / 104°24'W | 39°39'N / 104°13'W | 12.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 220K | 6.5M | Adams |
| Brief Description: A fast moving tornado ripped a 12-mile path of destruction near Strasburg, in eastern Adams County. The tornado caused extensive structural damage to several galvanized metal grain silos, farm buildings and sheds in the area. The roof of a two-story log home was completely torn off. The home received substantial damage from the wind and heavy rain that followed the tornado. Several other homes in the area sustained roof damage and a number of power poles were downed along Highway 36. | |||||||||||
| 16.6 | 1959-05-29 | 2 | 39°53'N / 104°18'W | 2.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Adams | |
| 16.6 | 1982-06-14 | 2 | 39°29'N / 104°06'W | 2.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Elbert | |
| 17.3 | 1987-06-20 | 2 | 39°46'N / 104°37'W | 1.00 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Adams | |
| 17.8 | 1982-06-12 | 3 | 39°49'N / 104°32'W | 39°53'N / 104°32'W | 3.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Adams |
| 19.3 | 1986-06-08 | 2 | 39°50'N / 104°36'W | 2.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Adams | |
| 20.3 | 1983-06-04 | 2 | 39°20'N / 104°35'W | 39°24'N / 104°20'W | 8.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Elbert |
| 22.3 | 1978-05-17 | 2 | 39°38'N / 104°45'W | 0.50 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Adams | |
| 23.6 | 1975-05-18 | 3 | 39°48'N / 104°44'W | 39°51'N / 104°41'W | 4.10 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Adams |
| 26.0 | 2004-05-10 | 2 | 39°18'N / 104°02'W | 39°22'N / 104°05'W | 6.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Elbert |
| Brief Description: A tornado touched down and severely damaged two farmsteads. The first farmstead was struck approximately 10 miles north-northwest of Simla. One tree was knocked over by the tornado. One cow was killed, another was severely injured and had to be destroyed. An unoccupied ranch house on a neighboring farmstead, about 11.5 miles north of Simla, was also destroyed. The tornado picked up the modular home and its contents, and dumped it about 500 feet away from the farmstead. In addition, a calving shed and a two story barn built in 1925 were destroyed. A pig, lamb and dog were killed. The twister also picked up and scattered a dozen trucks, farm vehicles and cars on the farmstead. | |||||||||||
| 26.9 | 1987-07-02 | 2 | 39°53'N / 104°44'W | 1.00 Mile | 250 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Adams | |
| 28.0 | 1986-06-08 | 2 | 39°43'N / 104°51'W | 39°43'N / 104°51'W | 0.10 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Arapahoe |
| 29.2 | 1976-05-30 | 2 | 39°48'N / 104°53'W | 39°50'N / 104°47'W | 5.40 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Adams |
| 29.5 | 1985-07-19 | 2 | 39°32'N / 104°52'W | 0.50 Mile | 40 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Douglas | |
| 30.6 | 1986-06-08 | 2 | 39°43'N / 104°54'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 6 | 2.5M | 0 | Denver | |
| 32.5 | 1988-06-15 | 2 | 39°44'N / 104°56'W | 0.50 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Denver | |
| 32.5 | 1988-06-15 | 3 | 39°44'N / 104°56'W | 2.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 7 | 25.0M | 0 | Denver | |
| 33.1 | 1961-05-20 | 2 | 39°24'N / 104°52'W | 2.00 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25K | 0 | Douglas | |
| 33.7 | 2009-06-15 | 2 | 39°14'N / 104°38'W | 39°11'N / 104°36'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 100K | 0K | Elbert |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: The tornado began 8 miles south-southwest of Elizabeth and produced minor damage to two homes. The tornado then moved southeast and intensified with EF1 and EF2 damage observed 9 miles south of Elizabeth, with substantial damage to a farm, trees, and snapped power poles. The tornado moved on a more southerly track for the next 2 miles with additional EF1 and EF2 damage 11 miles south of Elizabeth. The tornado leveled a 70-yr old barn and a nearby cinder-block shed was torn open. Major tree damage was also observed. The tornado then continued southward for another mile before lifting with some EF0 and EF1 damage 12 miles south of Elizabeth. Minor damage to another home was observed with several large trees uprooted. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Severe weather again broke out across Northeast Colorado. Three tornadoes touched down in southwest Elbert County; the strongest was rated EF2. In addition to the tornadoes, severe thunderstorms produced hail up to the size of golfballs. Damaging thunderstorm winds also downed a tree in Boulder. Other counties affected by severe thunderstorms included: Boulder, Douglas, Larimer, Lincoln and Sedgwick. | |||||||||||
| 34.2 | 1958-06-08 | 2 | 40°04'N / 104°42'W | 40°06'N / 104°34'W | 7.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Weld |
| 35.0 | 1982-05-29 | 2 | 39°28'N / 103°43'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lincoln | |
| 35.8 | 1984-05-18 | 2 | 40°07'N / 104°35'W | 40°10'N / 104°28'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Weld |
| 37.3 | 1981-06-03 | 2 | 39°44'N / 105°02'W | 39°44'N / 105°01'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Denver | ||
| 37.8 | 1981-06-03 | 2 | 39°52'N / 104°59'W | 2.30 Miles | 133 Yards | 0 | 42 | 25.0M | 0 | Adams | |
| 38.1 | 1981-06-03 | 2 | 39°43'N / 105°03'W | 39°44'N / 105°02'W | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Jefferson | ||
| 38.7 | 1984-05-18 | 2 | 40°07'N / 104°40'W | 40°12'N / 104°35'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Weld |
| 39.1 | 1977-03-18 | 2 | 39°31'N / 103°37'W | 1.50 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lincoln | |
| 39.7 | 1990-06-06 | 3 | 39°08'N / 103°53'W | 39°16'N / 103°50'W | 7.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Elbert |
| 40.1 | 1984-05-18 | 2 | 40°11'N / 104°34'W | 40°14'N / 104°28'W | 5.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Weld |
| 42.7 | 1988-06-05 | 2 | 40°00'N / 104°58'W | 40°02'N / 104°59'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Adams |
| 43.4 | 1977-03-18 | 2 | 39°31'N / 103°32'W | 1.50 Miles | 67 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Lincoln | |
| 43.4 | 1988-06-05 | 2 | 40°02'N / 104°59'W | 40°02'N / 104°58'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Weld |
| 44.3 | 1988-06-05 | 2 | 39°57'N / 105°04'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Boulder | |
| 44.8 | 1990-06-06 | 3 | 39°10'N / 103°42'W | 39°17'N / 103°41'W | 7.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 14 | 25.0M | 0 | Lincoln |
| 45.6 | 1996-05-30 | 2 | 40°12'N / 103°52'W | 40°12'N / 103°52'W | 1.00 Mile | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 150K | 0 | Morgan |
| Brief Description: Twin tornadoes developed 5 miles southwest of Fort Morgan. Although one of the twisters dissipated quickly; the other caused substantial damage to a farmstead. A teenager trapped in the home was uninjured when he took shelter in the basement. The tornado lifted the roof off the house temporarily and broke several windows. Also, the roof of a vacant dairy barn nearby was completely torn off. A car, 2 dump trucks and 2 pickups used in the families' tree service business were completely destroyed. One dog and several of the family cats were killed. Debris was spread approximately 300 yards across the area. Not too far away, the tornado also tossed an empty 5,000 gallon propane storage tank 500 yards and a nearly full 250 gallon storage tank 600 yards. Estimated damage to property in Morgan County was around $150,000. | |||||||||||
| 45.7 | 1952-05-15 | 3 | 40°20'N / 104°34'W | 40°15'N / 104°28'W | 7.40 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 5 | 25K | 0 | Weld |
| 45.9 | 1952-06-26 | 2 | 40°00'N / 103°36'W | 7.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Washington | |
| 46.6 | 1977-06-13 | 2 | 39°05'N / 104°49'W | 1.00 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | El Paso | |
| 47.1 | 1976-06-04 | 2 | 40°13'N / 104°49'W | 1.50 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Weld | |
| 48.9 | 1999-05-31 | 3 | 39°21'N / 103°35'W | 39°22'N / 103°24'W | 7.00 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 4.0M | 0 | Lincoln |
| Brief Description: Two tornadoes touched down causing extensive damage north of Genoa. The first tornado, an F2, caused minor damage to a home, but substantial damage to trees in the area. The second tornado, an F3, destroyed 2 mobile homes and several grain bins. It also caused moderate damage to 2 framed houses. At one farm, several dogs that were boarded in kennels were killed. Several trees and dozens of power poles were also snapped, and a pickup truck was tossed over a quonset hut. Damage was estimated to be $3-4 million. | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.