4 flood insurance claims·$10,992 paid·1 federal flood & hurricane disasters
Share of the whole county outline, rivers and lakes included; parts FEMA hasn’t mapped count as zero.
Shaded areas are FEMA’s mapped flood hazard zones in and around Las Animas County, Colorado. Zoomed out they are simplified; at street level the map switches to FEMA’s exact layer. Tap anywhere to check that spot, or search an address above.
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates the flood profile of Las Animas County. Over the last 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 15 flash flood events compared to 5 general flood events.
Thunderstorm activity and monsoonal moisture drive these events, as demonstrated by slow-moving storms on July 29, 2017, that produced flash flooding across multiple counties including a significant flash flood on the Junkins burn scar in Las Animas County. Subsequent events occurred on July 31, 2021, when a monsoon plume and low-level upslope flow caused heavy rainfall and flash flooding over the mountains, the Interstate 25 corridor, and areas along and south of Highway 50.
National Flood Insurance Program records indicate minimal claims overall, though Zone A properties have experienced impacts, averaging 2 claims with an average payout of $8,988 and an average recorded water depth of 1 inch. Zone X shaded and unshaded areas recorded one claim each, with average payouts of $2,004 and $0 respectively, and an average recorded water depth of 0 inches. Homeowners and real estate agents near Zone A flood zones and mountainous or burn scar corridors should pay the most attention to potential flash flood risks.
Summary written from NOAA storm reports and NFIP claims for this county. Not a prediction.
In flood insurance claims here that reported a flood depth, the average was 1 inches.
Drawn to scale against an 80-inch door. Even a few inches soaks flooring, the bottom of the drywall and anything plugged in near the floor.
Average of the depths reported on claims (zero and implausible values left out); FEMA’s record doesn’t say exactly where each depth was measured. Source: OpenFEMA NFIP claims.
The worst year was 1998, with 2 claims and $2,004 paid.
Bar height is scaled by square root so ordinary years stay visible next to the worst one. NFIP claims by year of loss. Source: OpenFEMA.
3 NOAA storm reports from Las Animas County describe what happened, in the words of the forecasters who covered it. Read the Colorado flood stories →
13 federal disaster declarations since 1965, 1 of them floods, coastal storms or hurricanes.
| Disaster | Began |
|---|---|
| Snow | Dec 28, 2006 |
| Mauricio Canyon Fire | Jan 7, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Snow | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Co - James John / Fisher - 06/03/02 | Jun 2, 2002 |
| Co - Spring Fire - 06/03/02 | Jun 2, 2002 |
| Wildfires | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Flooding 4/30/99 | Apr 29, 1999 |
Weather and water disasters only; most recent first. Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations.
20 since 1996: 15 flash floods and 5 river or area floods.
| Event | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2021 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 22, 2021 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2017 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2015 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2014 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2013 | — |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2011 | — |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2010 | $20,000 |
— = no damage estimate in the record. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Flash Flood · Jul 31, 2021. The combination of the monsoon plume and moist low level upslope flow allowed for thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and flash flooding to occur on this day across the region. The highest concern for flash flooding was over the mountains and I-25 corridor region, but later in the evening, additional flash flooding occurred along and south of Highway 50.
Flash Flood · May 22, 2021. Severe weather was the main concern on this day as an upper level low lifted across the region. Thunderstorms did occur late in the day and while most of them stayed below severe limits, a few storms produced high winds and large hail. Additionally, stronger winds were observed across parts of the higher terrain.
Flash Flood · Jul 29, 2017. Slow moving storms produced flash flooding in Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, and Las Animas Counties. A significant flash flood occurred on the Junkins burn scar.
Flash Flood · Jul 9, 2015. Strong to severe storms produced flooding rains and large hail across El Paso...Fremont...Pueblo...and Baca Counties.
National Weather Service narratives, lightly trimmed. Source: NOAA Storm Events Database.
Every colour on the map above is a place on this drawing: where the ground sits relative to the flood FEMA plans for.
If a building in Las Animas County is in a high-risk zone (A or V) and its mortgage comes from a federally regulated or insured lender, or is federally backed, flood insurance is required.
Outside those zones it is optional, and often worth having: from 2014 to 2024 nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Since Risk Rating 2.0, NFIP premiums are set for each building, so the only reliable price is a quote: FloodSmart.gov or a local agent.