Enter any address in San Diego County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is a significant flood character in San Diego County. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 256 flash flood events and 247 flood events, resulting in 12 fatalities. For example, on February 13, 2025, an atmospheric river brought heavy rain to the region, with precipitation amounts up to 7 inches in the mountains and hourly rates of 0.9 inches per hour, leading to significant debris flows and flash flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data reveals that properties in Zone X have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $18,320 for water depths averaging 7.0 feet. While Zone A properties had fewer claims, their average payout was higher at $32,458, though with a lower average water depth of 3.1 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, those near waterways, and properties located in zones with higher claim frequency and payout averages should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
258 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
San Diego County, California has recorded 538 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 256 flash floods and 247 river or area floods. The county has received 51 federal disaster declarations, 13 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storm And Flooding | Flood | Jan 21, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| West Fire | Fire | Jul 6, 2018 |
| Lilac Fire | Fire | Dec 7, 2017 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Dec 4, 2017 |
| Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris Flows | Fire | Dec 4, 2017 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Sep 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 15, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 200.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 22, 2024 | 30.00K |
Flood — Sep 18, 2025
Remnants from Mario influenced the region with increased instability and moisture, which allow for numerous reports of heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash flooding, and even a few reports of mudslides in San Bernardino County.
Flood — Nov 15, 2025
A strong area of low pressure impacts southern California with heavy rain, debris flow, flooding, and gusty winds across the higher terrain.
Flash Flood — Mar 13, 2025
A strong area of low pressure transitioned over the region and brought heavy rain, mountain snow, and some strong and gusty winds for the higher elevations and deserts.
Flood — Feb 13, 2025
A cold Pacific storm combined with an atmospheric river brought heavy rain and snow to southern California. 3 day precipitation amounts as high as 4 to 7 inches occurred in the San Bernardino Mountains. 1 hour rainfall mountains of 0.5 to 0.9 inches per hour were observed in the Santa Ana and San Bernardino/San Gabriel mountains. Total rainfall of 6 inches and a maximum one hour rate of 0.65 in...
Flash Flood — Mar 6, 2025
An active weather pattern with a broad trough over the western states brought a series of low pressure systems to the region and provided rain, mtn snow, thunderstorms, and strong winds throughout the week.
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 Diego 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 Diego 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.