Enter any address in Delta County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
In Delta County, Colorado, flooding from snowmelt and high river flows has been the dominant event type over the last 30 years, with 11 flood events and 9 flash flood events recorded. Recent examples include flooding in April and May 2023, which compromised county roads and bridges due to accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack. Similar conditions in May 2023 also affected low-lying recreational trails.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest average payouts and water depths. Claims in Zone X_UNSHADED have also resulted in significant payouts. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or X_UNSHADED, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Delta County, Colorado has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 9 flash floods and 11 river or area floods. The county has received 9 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Mcgruder Fire-07/03/2004 | Fire | Jul 3, 2004 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Jul 27, 1984 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 24, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | May 21, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 20, 2023 | 2.50K |
| Flood | Apr 13, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2014 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2013 | 150.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2013 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2011 | 0.00K |
Flood — May 24, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in several west-central counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads in the counties.
Flood — May 21, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in Delta and Garfield counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying recreational trails.
Flood — May 20, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in Delta and Garfield counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying recreational trails.
Flood — Apr 13, 2023
Above normal temperatures accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack. This resulted in high and fast flows on several rivers and drainages across Western Colorado. The increased runoff and flooding compromised several county roads and bridges across Montezuma, Archuleta, Routt, Delta, Dolores, Montrose, and Moffat counties.
Flood — Jul 23, 2021
Abundant monsoon moisture remained in place across the Western Slope. As a result, another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms developed across the area with many storms producing heavy rain. This led to several reports of flash flooding and debris flows across portions of west-central and southwest Colorado.
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 Delta 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 Delta 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.