Enter any address in Adams County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Adams County. Between 1994 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 21 flash flood events and 5 flood events. Recent occurrences include flash flooding on August 10, 2025, associated with severe thunderstorms, and flooding on May 11, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall to the region. Another flash flood event on June 29, 2023, caused significant hail accumulation and roadway flooding between Watkins and Bennett, leading to highway closures.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that while Zone A properties have had the most claims, Zone X properties have experienced higher average payouts and water depths. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and Zone UNKNOWN should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
6 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Adams County, Colorado has recorded 26 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 21 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | May 4, 2015 |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides | Flood | Sep 11, 2013 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Heavy Rains, Snowmelt And Flooding | Flood | May 23, 1973 |
| Severe Storms & Flooding | Flood | May 19, 1969 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 19, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 29, 2023 | 50.00K |
| Flood | May 11, 2023 | 1.00M |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2014 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 12, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 12, 2013 | 2.14M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2004 | — |
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2025
Strong to severe thunderstorms develop across northeast Colorado. Large hail was the main impact. A brief tornado form east of Denver over the open plains. No damage was reported with the tornado. Numerous photos and reports were passed along to the National Weather Service.
Flash Flood — Aug 19, 2024
Severe thunderstorms developed along a convergence boundary that stretched from Limon to Sterling. The storms produce hail up to an inch and a half in diameter, winds to 60 mph, two landspout tornadoes and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Jun 29, 2023
Severe thunderstorms produced large hail, from penny to tennis ball size across parts of Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Washington counties. The hail along with heavy rain caused flooding and flash flooding problems. In Adams County, widespread hail accumulated up to 6 inches deep on the roadways between Watkins and Bennett, with localized accumulations up to a foot reported. Highway ...
Flood — May 11, 2023
A slow moving storm system produced flooding and flash flooding across the urban corridor and northeast plains, with heavy snowfall in the higher mountains of the Front Range. Storm total rainfall during the 3-day event ranged from 4 to 7 inches across the urban corridor and Palmer Divide, with 2 to 5 inches across the plains. Additionally, from 1 to 2 feet of heavy wet snow occurred above 10...
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2016
An intense thunderstorm produced very heavy rain and hail in Westminster, where radar estimated up to 3.6 inches of rainfall. Several vehicles were stranded in 2 to 3 feet of moving water at the intersection of 72nd Ave. and Pecos St. Street flooding was also reported on U.S. 36 at Pecos St.
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 Adams County, Colorado:
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 Adams County, Colorado 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.