Enter any address in Tuolumne County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flood and flash flood events have occurred in Tuolumne County over the past 30 years. Recent events include flooding in January 2023, which caused flooding of roadways, urban areas, rivers, streams, and creeks, accompanied by rockslides and mudslides. In March 2023, heavy rain led to widespread roadway flooding, local mudslides, and flash flooding, with evacuations ordered in some areas.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone X has had the most claims, with an average payout of $21,670 and an average water depth of 0.4 feet. Claims in Zone A and Zone D had no payout and no reported water depth. Zone X_Unshaded had one claim with an average payout of $4,322 and no reported water depth.
Homeowners in areas prone to roadway flooding, urban flooding, and riverine flooding should pay close attention to flood risk. Properties located in Zone X, which has seen the majority of NFIP claims, may be particularly relevant.
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.
Tuolumne County, California has recorded 42 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 13 flash floods and 29 river or area floods. The county has received 21 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 (1964–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Dec 27, 2022 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Aug 14, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 18, 2017 |
| Rim Fire | Fire | Aug 20, 2013 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Mar 13, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 11, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 4, 2023 | 42.00M |
| Flood | Dec 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Feb 14, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Mar 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Mar 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
Flood — Mar 13, 2023
A wet system brought periods of heavy rain with flooding. There was 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulated above 6,500 feet, locally higher on some peaks. Heavy rain fell bringing widespread roadway flooding, as well as local mudslides, flash flooding, with evacuations ordered in some areas. Thunderstorms with large hail, strong damaging winds and tornadoes were reported. Strong winds gusting to 55 to...
Flash Flood — Mar 11, 2023
A wet system brought periods of heavy rain with flooding. There was 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulated above 6,500 feet, locally higher on some peaks. Heavy rain fell bringing widespread roadway flooding, as well as local mudslides, flash flooding, with evacuations ordered in some areas. Thunderstorms with large hail, strong damaging winds and tornadoes were reported. Strong winds gusting to 55 to...
Flood — Jan 9, 2023
A major winter storm brought strong winds with moderate to heavy rain bringing renewed flooding of already elevated waterways. There was flooding of roadways, urban areas, rivers, streams and creeks, with rockslides and mudslides also reported. There were dangerous mountain travel conditions with snow levels around 4000 feet and 3 to 5 feet of storm total snowfall above 6000 feet. Winds gusted...
Flood — Mar 4, 2023
A series of atmospheric river systems impacted Interior Northern California through the month of March and produced substantial flooding and wind damage.
Flood — Dec 10, 2022
Another weekend storm delivered widespread rain, mountain snow and gusty winds to interior NorCal. Localized flooding, downed trees, and mountain travel impacts were observed starting on 12/9/22 through early 12/12/22.
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 Tuolumne 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 Tuolumne 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.