Enter any address in Monterey County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River and standard floods dominate the historical hazard profile of Monterey County, accounting for 115 events and one death over the last 30 years, alongside 32 flash flood events, two storm surge or tide events, and two coastal flood events. Recent severe weather recorded in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration database includes a low pressure system that brought rain, winds, and localized heavy rain on November 16 and 17, as well as a series of storm systems that impacted the Central Coast from December 19 to 25.
National Flood Insurance Program records show that flood impacts extend across multiple zones, with Zone A experiencing the highest claim volume at 1,147 claims averaging $41,415 with an average recorded water depth of 6 inches. Zone X accounts for 119 claims with an average payout of $30,055 and an average recorded water depth of 7 inches, while unshaded Zone X properties recorded 83 claims averaging $60,775 with an average water depth of 5 inches, and shaded Zone X properties recorded 34 claims averaging $8,545 with an average water depth of 16 inches. Properties with unknown zones recorded 100 claims averaging $8,248 with an average water depth of 2 inches. Homeowners and real estate agents managing properties in Zone A and various designations of Zone X should pay the closest attention to flood risk given the documented historical payouts and water depths.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
79 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Monterey County, California has recorded 151 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 32 flash floods and 115 river or area floods. The county has received 33 federal disaster declarations, 9 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1967–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Carmel Fire | Fire | Aug 18, 2020 |
| River Fire | Fire | Aug 16, 2020 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 14, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 13, 2025 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 31, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2024 | 0.01K |
| Flood | Dec 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 0.01K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 25, 2025
A series of storm systems impacted the Bay Area and Central Coast from December 19 to 25th, impacting Christmas holiday travel across the region. The most impactful systems arrived on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two tornado warnings were issued for the coastal regions of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties based off radar indicated rotation. San Francisco International Airport reported delay...
Flood — Nov 17, 2025
A low pressure system brought rain and winds to the Bay Area and Central Coast on November 16 and 17th. Special Marine Warnings and Special Weather Statements were issued due to isolated thunderstorms causing localized heavy rain and gusty winds. The main frontal rain band came through in the overnight hours, with isolated to scattered showers and some thunderstorms continuing into the 17th.
Flood — Nov 16, 2025
A low pressure system brought rain and winds to the Bay Area and Central Coast on November 16 and 17th. Special Marine Warnings and Special Weather Statements were issued due to isolated thunderstorms causing localized heavy rain and gusty winds. The main frontal rain band came through in the overnight hours, with isolated to scattered showers and some thunderstorms continuing into the 17th.
Flood — Feb 13, 2025
A winter storm on February 13 caused widespread flooding and strong winds across the Bay Area and Central Coast.
Flood — Feb 6, 2025
An intense atmospheric river impacted the Bay Area from February 3rd to the 4th, bringing heavy rain and strong wind to the region, especially across the North Bay. The Russian River near Guerneville flooded due to the heavy rain.
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 Monterey 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 Monterey County, California that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, or a federally backed loan, 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.