Enter any Arizona address to see its FEMA flood zone designation
Arizona experiences a dominant flood risk characterized by frequent flash floods, which account for the vast majority of the state's recorded flood events and fatalities over the last 30 years compared to standard riverine floods.
Federal disaster declarations confirm recurring vulnerability to severe storms and flooding, including events in July 2021, July and October 2022, January 2023, and August 2024. These repeated incidents underscore the persistent threat that severe weather systems pose to communities across the state.
The distribution of National Flood Insurance Program claims indicates that residents in FEMA Zone A face the highest frequency of need, accumulating over 2,600 claims totaling $32 million. However, significant risk extends well outside high-risk special flood hazard areas. Properties in Zone X experienced nearly 1,000 claims totaling $18 million, while unknown and shaded or unshaded X zones accounted for thousands of additional claims and millions in payouts. Even Zone D recorded the highest average claim payout at over $41,000, demonstrating that unexpected flood losses can occur in unstudied or lower-risk areas where residents might not otherwise maintain coverage.
Summary generated from FEMA disaster declarations, NOAA storm events, and NFIP claim data. Updated quarterly.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims, Policies, and Disaster Declarations data. NFIP policies in force and average premium (premium plus federal policy fee) as of August 31, 2026, from OpenFEMA.
Arizona has received 346 federal disaster declarations, including 83 flood and coastal storm declarations.
FEMA designates flood zones across Arizona using the following classifications:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain). Insurance required for federal mortgages.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action. Strictest building codes.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain. Insurance recommended.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains. Insurance optional but advisable — from 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside high-risk zones.
Properties in Arizona FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, are required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Arizona had 21,864 NFIP policies in force on August 31, 2026, and the average NFIP premium was $885 a year (premium plus the federal policy fee; the reserve fund assessment and HFIAA surcharge come on top, and nationally they make actual bills about a quarter higher). Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 each building is priced on its own flood risk, so a state average says little about what any one home will pay.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from properties outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Arizona residents can purchase flood insurance through the NFIP or private insurers.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.
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