Enter any address in San Luis Obispo County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from winter storms is the dominant flood character in San Luis Obispo County. Between 2000 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 29 flash flood events and 11 general flood events. Recent examples include a flash flood event on February 4, 2024, which brought 2 to 5 inches of rain to the county, and another on February 19, 2024, associated with heavy rainfall and debris flows.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A, which typically have a higher risk, accounted for the largest number of claims (260) with an average payout of $19,328 and an average water depth of 3.6 feet. However, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X also experienced significant claims, with average payouts of $10,271 and $12,064 respectively, and notable average water depths of 3.8 feet and 6.0 feet. Residents in areas designated as Zone A, as well as those in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
23 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
San Luis Obispo County, California has recorded 40 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 29 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 28 federal disaster declarations, 11 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 |
| 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 18, 2017 |
| Chimney Fire | Fire | Aug 13, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Oct 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2023 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jan 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 10, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 21, 2010 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Oct 14, 2025
A strong, early-season, storm brought heavy rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms to the area. With the heavy rainfall, numerous reports of flooding were reported. The thunderstorms resulted in reports of wind damage across the area.
Flash Flood — Feb 19, 2024
A third, powerful, winter storm brought significant impacts to Southwestern California. Rainfall totals ranged between 2 and 12 inches with the highest totals across southern Santa Barbara county and western Ventura county. With the heavy rainfall, numerous reports of flooding and mud/debris flows were reported. Also, some gusty winds were reported.
Flash Flood — Feb 4, 2024
A second, very strong, winter storm impacted Southwestern California. Rainfall totals were very significant across the area. Los Angeles county reported rain totals of 4 to 14 inches, Ventura county reported 2 to 10 inches, Santa Barbara county reported 4 to 12 inches and San Luis Obispo county reported 2 to 5 inches. With the heavy rainfall, numerous reports of flooding were received. In the m...
Flash Flood — Mar 10, 2023
A second winter storm impacted Southwestern California. The heaviest rainfall impacted San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties where rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 4 inches across the coast with 5 to 10 inches across the foothills and mountains. For Ventura and Los Angeles counties, rainfall totals ranged between 0.50 and 1.50 inches with local amounts up to 3 inches across the foothills. ...
Flood — Jan 10, 2023
A powerful atmospheric river brought heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and gusty winds to the area. Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2-6 inches across the coastal and valley areas with 6-16 inches across the mountains and foothills. With the heavy rainfall, widespread flooding, especially across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Strong southerly winds, gusting up to 94 MPH, wer...
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 Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo 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.