Water Damage Restoration in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins by the numbers: 22 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 150 freezing nights a year, 4 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Colorado insurance help and costs.
Updated November 9, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Fort Collins
- Burst pipe: shut the main water valve, then open the lowest faucet to drain the lines (burst pipe steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
Fort Collins Flood Record
NOAA has 29 flood and flash flood reports for Larimer County from 2016 to 2025, on 22 separate days; July had the most.
At the Fort Collins 0.3 SSE gauge, May is the wettest month with 2.9 inches on average.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0.5 |
| February | 0 | 0.5 |
| March | 0 | 1.3 |
| April | 0 | 2.1 |
| May | 0 | 2.9 |
| June | 2 | 2 |
| July | 12 | 1.7 |
| August | 7 | 1.5 |
| September | 1 | 1.4 |
| October | 0 | 1.3 |
| November | 0 | 0.8 |
| December | 0 | 0.5 |
Freezing Nights in Fort Collins
Fort Collins averages 150 nights a year at or below 32°F (Ft Collins station). About 60 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 74 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in Larimer County from 2016 to 2025.
Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).
Storms and Disasters in Fort Collins
Larimer County was named in 4 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- June 17, 2025: Hail, 2.5 inch hail (Larimer County)Strong to severe thunderstorms formed along the I-25 Corridor north of Denver during the early morning hours of June 17th. The main severe weather type was large hail with the largest being 2.75 inches in diameter.
- July 31, 2023: Flash flood (Larimer County)Heavy rain produced localized flooding in downtown Fort Collins and Livermore, with standing water 1 to 3 feet deep. Vehicles were reportedly floating at the intersection of College and Mulberry in Fort Collins.
- July 20, 2021: Flash flood (Larimer County)A debris flow moved into Black Hollow Gulch and damaged or destroyed several structures including four homes. Four people in one of the homes perished when their residence washed away in the floodwaters.
- May 18, 2018: Tornado, EF0 (Larimer County)A weak tornado touched down briefly near Bear Lake with no observable damage.
- June 23, 2016: Thunderstorm wind, 81 mph gust (Larimer County)Two outbuildings were destroyed by microburst winds.
Federal disaster declarations
- July 31, 2024: Stone Mountain FireFire, FEMA FM-5525
- July 31, 2024: Alexander Mountain FireFire, FEMA FM-5524
- January 15, 2021: WildfiresFire, FEMA DR-4581
- September 6, 2020: Cameron Peak FireFire, FEMA FM-5349
Fort Collins Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Fort Collins (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 74,558 housing units, a median build year of 1992, 31% built before 1980, 15% before 1970, 52% owner occupied.
Colorado Insurance Help for Water Claims
Claim problems in Colorado go to the Colorado Division of Insurance.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Fort Collins flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Fort Collins
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
More Colorado Cities
Other Colorado city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Fort Collins?
The median first night at or below 32°F is October 7 and the median last is May 2 at the Ft Collins station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, EPA mold guide.