Enter any address in Ventura County, California to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Ventura County. Between 1993 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 82 flash flood events and 14 flood events. Recent events include flash flooding in the mountains on September 2, 2025, and widespread flooding following heavy rains on October 14, 2025.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $16,000 and water depths averaging 2.6 feet. Properties in Zone X also saw significant claims, with an average payout of $12,046 and water depths of 3.0 feet, despite being designated as moderate-risk areas. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone Unknown, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
39 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Ventura County, California has recorded 96 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 82 flash floods and 14 river or area floods. The county has received 52 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 (1965–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Fire | Fire | Nov 6, 2024 |
| Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Severe Storm | Jan 31, 2024 |
| 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 |
| Maria Fire | Fire | Nov 1, 2019 |
| Easy Fire | Fire | Oct 30, 2019 |
| Saddleridge Fire | Fire | Oct 10, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Oct 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 2, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 5, 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 | Aug 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
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 — Sep 2, 2025
Strong thunderstorms generated heavy rain and flash flooding across the mountains of Ventura county. Some shallow mud and debris flows across roadways were reported along with some minor flood damage in local campgrounds.
Flash Flood — Feb 20, 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 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 5, 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 Ventura 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 Ventura 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.