Enter any address in San Benito County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from atmospheric rivers and heavy rainfall has been the primary flood character in San Benito County over the last 30 years, with 17 flood events and 6 flash flood events recorded. Recent examples include widespread roadway flooding and evacuations due to an atmospheric river event in February 2024, and significant rainfall causing flooding and debris flows in January 2021.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $34,000 and an average water depth of 3.9 feet. While Zone X and Zone X_Unshaded have seen fewer claims, they still represent areas where flood damage has occurred. Residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those near rivers or in lower-lying coastal zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
10 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
San Benito County, California has recorded 23 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 17 river or area floods. The county has received 18 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 (1969–2023)
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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Severe Winter Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 2, 1998 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Feb 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 250.00K |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 2.00M |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 2.50M |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 3.00M |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 3.50M |
| Flood | Jan 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 20, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 20, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flood — Feb 4, 2024
A rapidly intensifying cyclone and atmospheric river combined from February 3rd to the 5th, creating a period of strong winds, heavy rain, and high surf. The entire region saw numerous impacts including roadway flooding, fallen trees, and power outages. Flood prone areas near rivers and along the coast were evacuated. Notable impacts also included pre-emptive closing of state parks, the cancela...
Flood — Jan 27, 2021
A plume of moisture from the tropical Pacific brought an Atmospheric River to the Bay Area January 26th-29th. This system generated heavy rain rates causing flooding and debris flows over area burn scars as well as 15 to 20 inches of rain in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Mudflows near the River Fire burn scar in Monterey County caused damage to homes, covered roadways, and trapped animals at local...
Flash Flood — Jan 22, 2017
Three storm systems swept through the region between January 18-23. The first occurred on January 18 as a cold front moved through. Heavy rain, widespread flooding, and debris flows were observed.
Flash Flood — Jan 20, 2017
Three storm systems swept through the region between January 18-23. The first occurred on January 18 as a cold front moved through. Heavy rain, widespread flooding, and debris flows were observed.
Flood — Feb 20, 2017
Potent AR brought copious amounts of rain to the region causing widespread flooding, debris flow, accidents, and over topping of reservoir spillways.
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 San Benito 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 San Benito 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.