Enter any address in Gunnison County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flooding from heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt are the primary flood concerns in Gunnison County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 13 flood events and 7 flash flood events, resulting in 2 fatalities. For example, in May 2023, accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack led to high flows and flooding along East River, compromising a ranch. Later that month, continued warm temperatures and heavy thunderstorm rains caused excessive runoff and flooding across the county.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that while properties in Zone A have seen higher average payouts and water depths, properties in Zone X have also experienced significant flooding. Claims in Zone Unknown also show an average payout and water depth. Homeowners in areas identified as Zone A or Zone X, as well as those near rivers and drainages, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Gunnison County, Colorado has recorded 20 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 7 flash floods and 13 river or area floods. The county has received 9 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 (1973–2020)
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 |
| Wiley Ridge Fire-06/23/02 | Fire | Jun 23, 2002 |
| 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | May 31, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Apr 30, 2023 | 500.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2023 | 25.00K |
| Flood | May 24, 2023 | 10.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 5.00K |
| Flood | May 5, 2023 | 1.00K |
| Flood | Jun 21, 2019 | 0.00K (1 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2015 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 22, 2008 | 0.50K |
| Flood | May 20, 2008 | 10.00K |
Flood — May 31, 2023
Continued very warm temperatures on an above normal snowpack resulted in excessive runoff leading to flooding across portions of west-central Colorado, particularly Gunnison County. Conditions were only exacerbated by heavy rain from thunderstorms in the days prior.
Flood — Apr 30, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in Gunnison County. As a result, flooding compromised and led to the failure of a culvert which led to flooding near Bear Creek.
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 — Aug 24, 2023
Remnants from Tropical Storm Harold lifted across the Desert Southwest. This, combined with already abundant subtropical moisture, resulted in widespread showers and thunderstorms across western Colorado. Storms were slow moving and produced heavy rain. As a result of the heavy rain, some flooding and debris flows occurred in portions of Gunnison, Garfield, Mesa, and Montezuma counties.
Flood — May 5, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in Pitkin and Gunnison counties. As a result, flooding compromised various trails in Pitkin County as well as a ranch along East River in Gunnison County.
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 Gunnison 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 Gunnison 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.