Enter any address in Inyo County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms dominates Inyo County's flood events. Between 1996 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 229 flash flood events and 24 general flood events. For example, in February 2025, an atmospheric river brought moderate to heavy rain to lower elevations, and in June 2025, remnants of a tropical storm fueled thunderstorms that produced flash flooding.
While most flood insurance claims in Inyo County are from areas with unknown flood risk, one claim in an Unshaded Zone X area resulted in an average payout of $4,062. Homeowners in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near washes or in low-lying areas, should pay close attention to their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Inyo County, California has recorded 253 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 229 flash floods and 24 river or area floods. The county has received 16 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 (1967–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm Hilary | Hurricane | Aug 19, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 9, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 21, 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, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 18, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Debris And Mud Flows | Flood | Dec 17, 2010 |
| Inyo Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 7, 2007 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 29, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 26, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 21, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 18, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 0.10K |
| Flood | Feb 13, 2025 | 1.00K |
Flood — Sep 29, 2025
Low pressure moved very slowly east from the eastern Pacific across the Mojave Desert, triggering scattered thunderstorms for a few days. Several storms produced severe weather and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 26, 2025
Southeasterly flow advected in monsoon moisture, fueling scattered thunderstorms, some of which produced flash flooding and severe winds.
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2025
Southeasterly flow advected in monsoon moisture, fueling scattered thunderstorms, some of which produced flash flooding and severe winds.
Flash Flood — Nov 21, 2025
The last in a series of low pressure systems moving in from the Pacific brought isolated flooding.
Flash Flood — Sep 19, 2025
Moisture from the remnants of Pacific Tropical Storm Mario fueled scattered thunderstorms, many of which produced flash flooding.
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 Inyo 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 Inyo 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.