Enter any address in Chaffee County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Chaffee County. Between 2013 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 20 flash flood events and 2 general flood events. Recent examples include localized flash flooding on July 1, 2022, and August 4, 2022, associated with monsoonal moisture and heavy rainfall.
While most flood claims in Chaffee County have been relatively small, one claim in Zone X, an unshaded moderate flood hazard area, resulted in a significant payout of $304,825 with an average water depth of 1.0 foot. Homeowners in or near flood-prone areas, particularly those in Zone A (high risk) or Zone X (moderate risk), should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
8 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Chaffee County, Colorado has recorded 22 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 20 flash floods and 2 river or area floods. The county has received 5 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 (2002–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 2, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 19, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2007 | 1.00M |
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2022
Continued stream of moisture across the region produced numerous pockets of heavy rain leading to flash flooding, mainly in Fremont County.
Flash Flood — Jul 1, 2022
Monsoonal moisture along with a passing mid level disturbance assisted with afternoon and evening thunderstorm development. A few stronger storms did develop, producing isolated heavy rainfall with localized flash flooding, and large hail.
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2021
Thunderstorm development across the higher terrain occurred once again on this day, with heavy rainfall and flash flooding the main concerns. Heavy rainfall with flash flooding and even pockets of damaging winds were all observed across the upper Arkansas River Valley.
Flash Flood — Jul 2, 2021
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms occurred through mid evening across the mountains, mountain valleys, and locations along and west of I-25. The severe threat was low, though a stronger storm or two did occur. An isolated flash flooding threat was also noted on this day, and did occur with the Spring Burn Scar observing heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 2, 2021
Slow moving thunderstorms developed over the mountains, as the monsoon plume remained in place on this day. With the heavy rain that stemmed from these thunderstorms along with high antecedent soil moistures from rainfall over the past several days, the flash flood threat remained high with a few reports of flash flooding noted near the higher terrain.
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 Chaffee 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 Chaffee 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.