Enter any address in Bent County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates Bent County's flood events. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 12 flash flood events compared to 4 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 1, 2016, and August 6, 2022, associated with severe thunderstorms moving across the region.
These events can be intense, with storms producing hail and significant rainfall. Homeowners, journalists, and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located in areas identified by FEMA as high-risk flood zones, as these are most likely to experience substantial impacts from such events.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
1 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bent County, Colorado has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 12 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 1 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 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Severe Winter Storms | Severe Storm | Apr 11, 2001 |
| Flooding 4/30/99 | Severe Storm | Apr 29, 1999 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
| Tornadoes, Severe Storms & Flooding | Tornado | Jun 19, 1965 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 5, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 18, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 15, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jul 13, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2006 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2004 | — |
Flash Flood — Jul 5, 2023
Residual moisture from an incredibly anomalously wet June continues to moisten the lower levels aiding in ample amounts of instability. The northwest flow pattern created a lot of shear, which led to prolonged 3 day severe weather event over adjacent and eastern plains of southern Colorado.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2022
Late afternoon thunderstorm activity pushed off the Palmer Divide moving east-southeast across the Colorado plains. Numerous flash flooding events, severe thunderstorm winds and some damage were reported across the region.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2017
A few severe storms produced flash flooding and damaging wind gusts.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2016
Strong to severe storms produced hail up to half dollar size and flash flooding across the I-25 corridor and southeast plains.
Flash Flood — Jul 29, 2014
Numerous strong, slow-moving storms caused flash flooding across Kiowa, Bent, Prowers, and Baca Counties.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bent 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 Bent 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.