Enter any address in Yuma County, Arizona to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Yuma County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 56 flash flood events and 16 general flood events. For example, on August 25, 2025, conditions were primed for strong thunderstorms across south-central and southwest Arizona, leading to flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone A, typically areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, accounted for 82 claims with an average payout of $9,155 and an average water depth of 0.9 feet. Zone X, which includes areas with a 0.2% annual chance of flooding, had 5 claims with a significantly higher average payout of $18,201 and an average water depth of 19.8 feet, indicating potential for deeper inundation in these areas despite fewer claims.
Residents in Zone A and Zone X, particularly those in areas prone to flash flooding from intense rainfall, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
55 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Yuma County, Arizona has recorded 72 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 56 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 6 federal disaster declarations, 2 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1983–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding | Flood | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Heavy Rain & High Winds | Severe Storm | Jan 15, 1985 |
| Flooding | Flood | Jun 16, 1983 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 30.00K |
| Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
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 — Aug 25, 2025
The environment across south-central and southwest Arizona on August 25th was primed for strong to severe thunderstorms with very moist and unstable conditions in place. The synoptic pattern featured a subtropical ridge of high pressure centered over northern New Mexico, promoting southeasterly flow aloft over Arizona and allowing for moisture advection into the region, while a Pacific trough t...
Flood — Sep 18, 2025
The combination of an upper-level low off the CA coast and the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Mario resulted in a significant moisture increase with PWATs increasing upwards of 1.8-2.0 across most of southwest AZ. The aforementioned features also provided strong upper-level forcing to result in widespread showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. With MLCAPE values maxing out at 1500...
Flood — Sep 4, 2025
An upper-level trough moving through the area providing strong upper-level ascent combined with MLCAPE values between 1500-3000 J/kg and PWAT values between 1.8-2.0 (associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Lorena) resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms across much of western AZ and southern CA. A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon hour...
Flash Flood — Sep 4, 2025
An upper-level trough moving through the area providing strong upper-level ascent combined with MLCAPE values between 1500-3000 J/kg and PWAT values between 1.8-2.0 (associated with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Lorena) resulted in numerous showers and thunderstorms across much of western AZ and southern CA. A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon hour...
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 Yuma 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 Yuma 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.