Enter any address in Tehama County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
River and roadway flooding associated with strong winter storms is a significant concern in Tehama County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 64 flood events and 8 flash flood events. For example, a winter storm in February 2025 brought heavy rain to the valley and foothills, resulting in widespread flooding, multiple search and rescue efforts, and prolonged road closures, including on Highway 99.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while Zone A areas have seen the most claims, properties in Zone X (moderate flood risk) have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zone X, Zone X_UNSHADED, and Zone X_SHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
33 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Tehama County, California has recorded 72 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 8 flash floods and 64 river or area floods. The county has received 25 federal disaster declarations, 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Park Fire | Fire | Jul 24, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Jan 8, 2023 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Jul 14, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Feb 24, 2019 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Flood | Feb 1, 2017 |
| Ponderosa Fire | Fire | Aug 18, 2012 |
| 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 |
| Flash Flood | Dec 21, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 6, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 5, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 4, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 3, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 24, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 22, 2024 | 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...
Flash Flood — Dec 21, 2025
A series of atmospheric rivers brought moderate to heavy precipitation to interior northern California in the third week of December through the Christmas holiday. A Convergence Zone set up over Redding/Shasta County around 1 PM on Sunday, December 21. Heavy rain fell until around 7 PM, where there was a lull before another line redeveloped and brought additional moderate to heavy rain into the...
Flood — Feb 6, 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 5, 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 — Feb 4, 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...
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 Tehama 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 Tehama 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.