Enter any address in Costilla County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms appears to be the dominant flood character in Costilla County. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 10 flood events and 10 flash flood events in the county. Recent examples include flash flooding reported on July 21, 2021, due to slow-moving storms and heavy rainfall near the eastern mountains, and on July 28, 2020, over and around the Spring burn scar in far southern Colorado.
While flood insurance claims in Costilla County are infrequent, those that have occurred in Zone X_Unshaded areas resulted in average payouts of $5,158 with an average water depth of 5.0 feet. Claims in Zone A areas, however, showed an average payout of $0 with an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Residents in areas prone to flash flooding, particularly those near mountainous terrain or burn scars, should pay close 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.
Costilla County, Colorado has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 10 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 10 federal disaster declarations, 3 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1970–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Spring Creek Fire | Fire | Jun 28, 2018 |
| Malo Vega Fire | Fire | Jun 18, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
| Flooding & Landslides | Flood | Jul 6, 1973 |
| Heavy Rains & Flooding | Flood | Sep 22, 1970 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 28, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 6, 2019 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 1, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2009 | 30.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 26, 2022
Showers and thunderstorms, some strong, occurred over the higher terrain and adjacent plains during the evening time frame. Most storms were focused along the I-25 corridor, where heavy rain caused flash flooding in several locations in El Paso and Pueblo Counties.
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2021
An abundance of moisture and instability, focus for thunderstorm development over and near the mountains, and slow moving storms all supported heavy rainfall with flash flooding. Multiple reports were noted along the eastern mountains.
Flash Flood — Jul 28, 2020
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding occurred once again on this day, though reports remained isolated to far southern Colorado over and around the Spring burn scar.
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2020
Another day of showers and thunderstorms occurred over a good portion of southern Colorado. Flash flooding remained heightened on this day for the Spring burn scar, as well as parts of the eastern San Juan mountains where focus for persistent storm development and heavy rain occurred.
Flash Flood — Jul 24, 2019
During the afternoon hours of July 24th, a few strong thunderstorms developed on the west side of the Sange de Cristo Mountains in Costilla County. This activity moved up the western slope of the range and began to heavily rain along the north and central portions of the Spring burn scar, spreading into Huerfano County. Wagon Creek, South Abeyta Creek, and Middle Creek were hit the hardest with...
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 Costilla 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 Costilla 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.