Enter any address in Grand County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall is the dominant flood character in Grand County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 16 flash flood events. For example, in August 2022, flash flooding occurred at Drowsy Water Ranch and along Highway 125, with mudslides blocking portions of the highway and debris entering buildings. In July 2022, heavy rainfall caused mud and rocks to cover Highway 125, leading to road closures and damage.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A experienced an average payout of $2,777 with no reported water depth. Claims in Zone UNKNOWN had a higher average payout of $5,960 with an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A or Zone UNKNOWN, as well as those located near burn scars or in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
9 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Grand County, Colorado has recorded 16 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 16 flash floods. The county has received 8 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 (1977–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| East Troublesome Fire | Fire | Oct 17, 2020 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Sep 6, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2023 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2022 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 22, 2022 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 20, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 30, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2021 | 15.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2021 | 5.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 14, 2023
Heavy rainfall produced localized flash flooding which resulted to temporary road closures in the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome burn scars.
Flash Flood — Jul 23, 2022
A brief period of heavy rainfall caused mud and rocks to cover Highway 125, as anywhere from 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes. The highway was closed between Trail Creek and Coral Cabin Creek Road (FR 112). There was some road damage with a large area of mud and rocks covering the roadway. Two bulldozers were brought out to remove the debris.
Flash Flood — Aug 22, 2022
Another period of moderate to heavy rainfall, forced the closure of Highway 125. The highway was closed in both directions for several hours due to safety concerns regarding mudslides.
Flash Flood — Aug 20, 2022
Significant flash flooding occurred at Drowsy Water Ranch and along Highway 125. Significant impacts were observed on County Road 219, from the ranch down to Highway 40. The main office had debris into the building. Some of the rocks and boulders in the buildings were approximately 20��� in diameter. Grand County Sheriff office reported several mudslides blocked portions of the highwa...
Flash Flood — Jul 30, 2021
Flash flooding occurred on Tonahutu Creek. Trees, mud and debris shut down Grand Lake's hydro plant. Approximately 50 downed trees piled up at the plant's head gate and ash and mud filled the ditch leading to another gate. Another flash flood impacted CO-125. Additional flash flooding occurred in the Calwood and Cameron Peak burn areas, where up to 2.5 inches of rain fell in one hour. In E...
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 Grand 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 Grand 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.