Enter any address in Colusa County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow along the Sacramento River is the dominant flood character for Colusa County. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 27 flood events and 1 flash flood event, resulting in one fatality. Recent flood events occurred in February 2025 and December 2025, associated with cold winter storms and prolonged wet weather bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from Colusa County indicates that properties in Zone X_SHADED and Zone A have experienced significant flood damage. Zone X_SHADED saw 43 claims with an average payout of $16,372 and an average water depth of 6.8 feet. Zone A had 38 claims with an average payout of $22,649, though the average water depth was lower at 0.9 feet. Properties in Zone X also experienced substantial payouts, averaging $22,912.
Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X_SHADED, and Zone X should pay the most attention to flood risk. These zones have historically seen the most NFIP claims and significant payouts, indicating a higher likelihood of flood damage and financial impact.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Colusa County, California has recorded 28 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 27 river or area floods. The county has received 19 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 (1964–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 8, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 24, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Dec 17, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 2, 1998 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mud And Landslides | Severe Storm | Dec 28, 1996 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 26, 2025 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Oct 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 21, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2023 | 1.00M |
Flood — Dec 26, 2025
A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes. Snowfall measurements over the 12/24-12/26 timeframe were around 2-5 ft per Caltrans, Ski resorts, and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Southerly wind gusts of 50-80 mph were observed as well acr...
Flood — Dec 24, 2025
A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes. Snowfall measurements over the 12/24-12/26 timeframe were around 2-5 ft per Caltrans, Ski resorts, and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Southerly wind gusts of 50-80 mph were observed as well acr...
Flood — Oct 13, 2025
An early season storm system brought moderate to heavy snowfall to portions of the southern Cascades and Sierra Nevada mainly above 6500 feet. Storm total snow amounts of 6 to 21 inches were generally observed at and above 6500 feet. Widespread precipitation also brought localized roadway flooding to the lower elevations. The storm arrived on October 13th and lasted through the very early morni...
Flood — Feb 7, 2025
A cold winter storm system brought another round of heavy snow, rain, rock slides and gusty winds from February 6th through February 7th. Generally 4 to 12 inches were observed above 3000 feet in Shasta County and the Coast Range and above 5000 feet in the Sierra and Southern Cascades, with up to 18 inches at the higher peaks. Interstate 5 closed for about 4 hours at Pollard Flat due to heavy s...
Flood — Feb 6, 2025
A cold winter storm system brought another round of heavy snow, rain, rock slides and gusty winds from February 6th through February 7th. Generally 4 to 12 inches were observed above 3000 feet in Shasta County and the Coast Range and above 5000 feet in the Sierra and Southern Cascades, with up to 18 inches at the higher peaks. Interstate 5 closed for about 4 hours at Pollard Flat due to heavy 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 Colusa County, California:
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 Colusa County, California 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.