Enter any address in Sutter County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River overflow and widespread rainfall from winter storms are the dominant flood characteristics for Sutter County. Recent events include flooding in February 2025 due to heavy rain and river overflow, and another event in December 2025 from prolonged wet weather and strong winds.
National Flood Insurance Program data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most claims. Zone A properties had an average payout of $9,327 with an average water depth of 6.8 feet, while Zone X properties had an average payout of $15,403 with an average water depth of 5.8 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X_SHADED with an average water depth of 2.0 feet, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
11 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sutter County, California has recorded 35 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database. The county has received 20 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 (1964–2024)
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, 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 |
| Potential Failure Of The Emergency Spillway At Oroville Lake | Dam/Levee Break | Feb 7, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 3, 2017 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, And Landslides | Severe Storm | Dec 17, 2005 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Hurricane | Aug 29, 2005 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Dec 24, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 14, 2025 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flood | Feb 7, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 13, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Dec 24, 2025
A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes. Snowfall measurements over the 12/24-12/26 timeframe were around 2-5 ft per Caltrans, Ski resorts, and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Southerly wind gusts of 50-80 mph were observed as well acr...
Flood — Nov 14, 2025
An Atmospheric River in the middle of November brought light mountain snow, widespread rainfall with roadway flooding, gusty winds, and thunderstorms from November 12th through November 14th. Around 1 to 4 inches of rain were observed across interior northern California over this 48 hour period. Gusty southerly winds of 25 to 65 mph were also observed as well. 4 to 12 inches of snow was estimat...
Flood — Feb 7, 2025
A cold winter storm system brought another round of heavy snow, rain, rock slides and gusty winds from February 6th through February 7th. Generally 4 to 12 inches were observed above 3000 feet in Shasta County and the Coast Range and above 5000 feet in the Sierra and Southern Cascades, with up to 18 inches at the higher peaks. Interstate 5 closed for about 4 hours at Pollard Flat due to heavy s...
Flood — Feb 3, 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 — Nov 22, 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.
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 Sutter 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 Sutter 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.