Enter any address in El Paso County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events dominates El Paso County's flood history. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 182 flash flood events, resulting in 4 fatalities. For example, on July 16, 2025, heavy rainfall of 1.5-2.5 inches in 30 minutes caused flash flooding and minor roadway inundation in Manitou Springs. Similar widespread rainfall of 1.5-3 inches on August 25, 2025, led to minor flash flooding and stream rises throughout the county.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone X have experienced the highest number of claims (397), with an average payout of $3,910 and an average water depth of 1.5 feet. Zone A properties have also seen significant claims (267), with higher average payouts ($13,336) and a similar average water depth of 1.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
45 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
El Paso County, Colorado has recorded 201 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 182 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 8 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2023)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes | Flood | Jun 8, 2023 |
| 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 |
| Black Forest Fire | Fire | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Black Forest Wildfire | Fire | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Waldo Canyon Fire | Fire | Jun 23, 2012 |
| High Park And Waldo Canyon Wildfires | Fire | Jun 9, 2012 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2006 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 25, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 22, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 20, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
Heavy rainfall over south Colorado Springs and Fort Carson led to minor flash flooding in the area.
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2025
Heavy rainfall of 1.5-2 inches led to flash flooding around Monument and Black Forest.
Flash Flood — Aug 25, 2025
Widespread 1.5-3 inches of rainfall led to some minor flash flooding and quick, within bank rise of area streams throughout El Paso County.
Flash Flood — Jul 16, 2025
Heavy rainfall of 1.5-2.5 inches in 30 min. led to flash flooding in Manitou Springs. Excess runoff and minor inundation of roadways occurred for most areas.
Flash Flood — Jul 20, 2024
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding on July 20 and 21 in El Paso and Pueblo Counties.
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 El Paso 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 El Paso 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.