Enter any address in Gila County, Arizona to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Gila County's flood events. Over the past 30 years, NOAA data shows 231 flash flood events, resulting in 15 fatalities, compared to 23 flood events with 6 deaths. Recent events include flash flooding on July 2, 2025, driven by atmospheric moisture and heating, and October 12-13, 2025, linked to tropical moisture remnants.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A experience frequent flooding, with an average water depth of 3.4 feet and payouts averaging $29,159. While Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone D have fewer claims, they show higher average water depths (5.0 ft and 18.3 ft respectively) and higher average payouts. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone D, and areas with higher average payouts and water depths should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
119 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gila County, Arizona has recorded 254 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 231 flash floods and 23 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations, 7 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Telegraph Fire | Fire | Jun 6, 2021 |
| Griffin Fire | Fire | Aug 17, 2020 |
| Bush Fire | Fire | Jun 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jan 18, 2010 |
| Water Wheel Fire | Fire | Aug 30, 2009 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 25, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfire (edge Complex) 07-22-2005 | Fire | Jul 21, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 28, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 26, 2025 | 25.00M (3 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 19, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 28, 2025
An early season low pressure system moved into southeastern California and cut off from the main steering flow. Leftover monsoon moisture from the subtropics combined with the stalled low pressure system and brought a 4 day period of severe weather and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2025
A slow-moving low pressure system brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms over multiple days through much of the region. Activity on the 25th was mostly concentrated across higher terrain areas of eastern AZ, fueled by MLCAPE values approaching 2000 J/kg. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours, producing rainfall accumulations of over 2 inches in less th...
Flash Flood — Sep 26, 2025
A slow-moving low pressure system brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms over multiple days through much of the region. Activity on the 25th was mostly concentrated across higher terrain areas of eastern AZ, fueled by MLCAPE values approaching 2000 J/kg. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours, producing rainfall accumulations of over 2 inches in less th...
Flash Flood — Sep 25, 2025
A slow-moving low pressure system brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms over multiple days through much of the region. Activity on the 25th was mostly concentrated across higher terrain areas of eastern AZ, fueled by MLCAPE values approaching 2000 J/kg. Strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the afternoon hours, producing rainfall accumulations of over 2 inches in less th...
Flash Flood — Nov 19, 2025
A slow moving upper level low pressure system moved down the California coast, tapping ample moisture and spreading precipitation across the state of Arizona. This was a relatively warm storm with high snow levels, at or above 6500-7000 feet. Dynamic support and wind shear with this storm led to some severe thunderstorms. Heavy rain falling over ground saturated from the previous weekend's s...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Gila County, Arizona:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Gila County, Arizona that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.