Enter any address in Santa Barbara County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense winter storms is the primary flood hazard in Santa Barbara County. Between 1993 and 2023, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 69 flash flood events and 11 general flood events. For example, a significant winter storm on February 4, 2024, brought 4 to 12 inches of rain to the county, leading to numerous reports of flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $30,089 and an average water depth of 2.5 feet. However, properties in Zone X, despite having fewer claims than Zone A, have seen a higher average water depth of 4.2 feet and an average payout of $25,530. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas not mapped by FEMA or in lower-risk shaded zones, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
43 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Santa Barbara County, California has recorded 80 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 69 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 43 federal disaster declarations, 14 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1969–2024)
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 |
| Alisal Fire | Fire | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Cave Fire | Fire | Nov 25, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 13, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Mar 30, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 21, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 11, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 30, 2024
The most powerful storm of March brought significant rain, mountain snow, strong thunderstorms and flash flooding to Southwestern California. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.50 to 4.00 inches across coastal and valley areas and up to 7 inches across the mountain slopes. At higher elevations, over 1 foot of snowfall was reported across the Ventura and Los Angeles county mountains. Strong thunderst...
Flash Flood — Sep 19, 2024
Strong thunderstorms produced torrential rainfall across the Cuyama Valley, producing flash flooding and debris flows across Highway 166.
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 18, 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...
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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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.