Enter any address in Mendocino County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River flooding along the Mad and Eel Rivers is a significant concern in Mendocino County. Between December 19th and December 21st, 2025, heavy rainfall led to both small stream and main stem river flooding, with these rivers exceeding moderate flood stage.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced 105 claims with an average payout of $20,188 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, with an average payout of $35,215 and an average water depth of 5.1 feet, despite being designated as a lower-risk zone. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those residing near rivers or in areas designated as Zone A or Zone X without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay close attention to flood risk.
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.
Mendocino County, California has recorded 67 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 1 flash floods and 65 river or area floods. The county has received 33 federal disaster declarations, 12 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, 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, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 8, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Sep 4, 2020 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 14, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Mendocino Fire Complex | Fire | Jul 29, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 29, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 24, 2025
After a very wet period from December 19th-21st, another round of storms brought more rain and damaging winds to the region in the days leading up to Christmas. Impacts were felt across the region from December 23rd to the 26th. The worst of the winds impacts Mendocino County where most of the coast lost power, some areas for more than 24 hours.
Flood — Dec 22, 2025
Beginning mid-December, a series of storm systems impacted Northwest California with the first set of storms bringing particularly heavy rain from December 19th through December 21st. The heaviest rain occurred in Humboldt County, but impacts were felt across the Northwest California region. Both small stream and main stem river flooding occurred during the event with the Mad and Eel Rivers exc...
Flood — Dec 21, 2025
Beginning mid-December, a series of storm systems impacted Northwest California with the first set of storms bringing particularly heavy rain from December 19th through December 21st. The heaviest rain occurred in Humboldt County, but impacts were felt across the Northwest California region. Both small stream and main stem river flooding occurred during the event with the Mad and Eel Rivers exc...
Flood — Feb 14, 2025
A frontal system approaches the area with moisture and cold temperatures aloft, bringing low elevation winter precipitation in some areas.
Flood — Feb 5, 2025
Low elevation snow, atmospheric rivers and rising river threats characterized February. Several storm systems with some weaker cold weather breaks filled the timeline, with a few dry spells.
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 Mendocino 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 Mendocino 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.