Enter any address in La Plata County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from intense rainfall events is the dominant flood character in La Plata County. Between 2004 and 2024, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 64 flash flood events and 12 flood events. For example, localized flash flooding occurred across portions of the county in June 2022 due to monsoon moisture, and accelerated snowmelt produced high and fast flow on drainages in May 2023, compromising areas along the Animas River.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of 13.9 feet, with 21 claims filed. Properties in Zone X have also seen claims, with an average water depth of 0.7 feet and 20 claims. Homeowners in areas designated as Zone A, Zone X, and Zone X_UNSHADED should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
22 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
La Plata County, Colorado has recorded 76 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 64 flash floods and 12 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 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Valley Fire | Fire | Jun 25, 2002 |
| Missionary Ridge Fire | Fire | Jun 9, 2002 |
| Ute Pass Fire | Fire | Jun 6, 2002 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Oct 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 10, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2022 | 25.00K |
| Flood | Sep 22, 2022 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 250.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 500.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2018 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 24, 2018 | 2.00M |
Flood — Oct 11, 2025
Between October 10-14, 2025, southwest Colorado experienced prolonged periods of rain and some of the largest multiday rainfall totals on record with rainfall accumulations between 3 and 8 inches, with locally higher amounts across the San Juan Mountains. Remnants from two tropical storms supplied anomalous moisture across the region, with minimal break between events. The first round of heavy ...
Flood — May 10, 2023
Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in La Plata County. As a result, flooding compromised The Oxbow Preserve along the Animas River.
Flash Flood — Jun 26, 2022
Monsoon moisture advected north into the region. Residual moisture from previous days convection helped to prime the atmosphere which led to an uptick in shower and thunderstorm coverage across western Colorado. Some storms produced heavy rain which led to localized flash flooding across portions of La Plata County.
Flood — Sep 22, 2022
A line of heavier showers moved across southwest Colorado early in the morning in response to a midlevel circulation overhead. Some localized street flooding occurred across portions of La Plata County as a result.
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2021
Substantial monsoon moisture remained over the area as high pressure drifted east over the Plains. As a result, widespread showers and thunderstorms developed with many storms producing heavy rain. This led to localized flash flooding across portions of La Plata 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 La Plata 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 La Plata 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.