Enter any address in Placer County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River and roadway flooding from winter storms are the dominant flood character in Placer County. Between 2005 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 68 flood events and 12 flash flood events. For example, a strong winter storm in February 2025 brought heavy rain to the valley and foothills, resulting in widespread flooding, multiple search and rescue efforts, and prolonged road closures, including portions of Highway 99.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data from Placer County reveals varied flood experiences across different zones. Zone A, typically considered high-risk, accounted for 250 claims with an average payout of $25,635 and an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Interestingly, Zone X, often considered moderate-risk, saw 104 claims with an average payout of $20,289 and an average water depth of 4.0 feet, indicating significant flooding can occur outside of designated high-risk areas. Zone X_SHADED properties experienced the highest average payout at $48,668, with an average water depth of 1.7 feet.
Homeowners in Placer County, particularly those in or near designated flood zones (Zone A), properties that have experienced significant water depth in moderate-risk zones (Zone X), and those without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE) on file, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
37 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Placer County, California has recorded 80 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 68 river or area floods. The county has received 26 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, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Mar 9, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 8, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Mosquito Fire | Fire | Sep 9, 2022 |
| Caldor Fire | Fire | Aug 14, 2021 |
| River Fire | Fire | Aug 4, 2021 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 14, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 3, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 23, 2024 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flood | Feb 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2024 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2024 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 25, 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 — Dec 21, 2025
A series of atmospheric rivers brought moderate to heavy precipitation to interior northern California in the third week of December through the Christmas holiday. A Convergence Zone set up over Redding/Shasta County around 1 PM on Sunday, December 21. Heavy rain fell until around 7 PM, where there was a lull before another line redeveloped and brought additional moderate to heavy rain into the...
Flood — Nov 13, 2025
An Atmospheric River in the middle of November brought light mountain snow, widespread rainfall with roadway flooding, gusty winds, and thunderstorms from November 12th through November 14th. Around 1 to 4 inches of rain were observed across interior northern California over this 48 hour period. Gusty southerly winds of 25 to 65 mph were also observed as well. 4 to 12 inches of snow was estimat...
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 Placer 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 Placer 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.