Enter any address in Plumas County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River and roadway flooding from winter storms is a significant hazard in Plumas County. Recent events include widespread flooding in November 2024, and roadway flooding and mudslides during late December 2024. Heavy rain and snowmelt from atmospheric rivers have also contributed to flooding, as seen in December 2025.
Homeowners in Zone A, which has experienced the most flood claims, should be particularly aware of their risk. These areas have seen an average of 3.4 feet of water depth during flood events. Properties in Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have also experienced claims, with average water depths of 1.1 feet and -2.0 feet respectively. Residents in these zones, especially those near waterways or without a confirmed Base Flood Elevation, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Plumas County, California has recorded 19 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 3 flash floods and 16 river or area floods. The county has received 23 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, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 21, 2023 |
| Dixie Fire | Fire | Jul 20, 2021 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 14, 2021 |
| Bear Fire | Fire | Aug 17, 2020 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 14, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 1, 2017 |
| 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 22, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 8, 2017 | 40.00K |
| Flood | Jan 7, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 22, 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 — Feb 4, 2025
A strong winter storm brought heavy mountain snow, moderate to heavy rain with river and roadway flooding, and gusty southerly winds February 3rd through 5th. Multiple feet of heavy snow were observed above 5000 feet, with 2 to 5 inches of rain observed in the Valley and foothills and southerly wind gusts of up to 50 mph. There were numerous reports of flooding in the Valley that led to multipl...
Flood — Dec 28, 2024
Multiple waves of precipitation brought periods of heavy rain, mountain snow and gusty winds to interior Northern California over the Christmas holiday and through the end of the month. Storm total snow amounts of 10 to 40 inches were measured in the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascades from December 24th through 29th that led to periods of chain restrictions along the mountain passes. ...
Flood — Nov 24, 2024
Another weather system brought continued periods of heavy mountain snow with mountain travel delays and chain restrictions, widespread rain with flooding impacts, and gusty winds in the from November 22nd through November 26th.
Flood — Mar 13, 2023
A wet system brought periods of heavy rain with flooding. There was 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulated above 6,500 feet, locally higher on some peaks. Heavy rain fell bringing widespread roadway flooding, as well as local mudslides, flash flooding, with evacuations ordered in some areas. Thunderstorms with large hail, strong damaging winds and tornadoes were reported. Strong winds gusting to 55 to...
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 Plumas 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 Plumas 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.