Enter any address in Mesa County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Mesa County. The NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 70 flash flood events and 38 general flood events in the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 18, 2025, driven by a monsoonal pattern, and on September 4, 2025, when increased precipitable water values contributed to heavy rainfall.
NFIP claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X_SHADED have experienced flood damage. Zone A claims averaged $3,309 with an average water depth of 0.3 feet, while Zone X_SHADED claims were significantly higher, averaging $38,333 with an average water depth of 0.3 feet. Homeowners in these zones, as well as those in Zone X and Zone UNKNOWN, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
44 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Mesa County, Colorado has recorded 108 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 70 flash floods and 38 river or area floods. The county has received 8 federal disaster declarations, 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Gulch Fire | Fire | Aug 19, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Co - Dierich Fire - 06/10/02 | Fire | Jun 9, 2002 |
| Wildfires | Fire | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Severe Storms, Mudslides, Landslides & Flooding | Flood | Jul 27, 1984 |
| Drought | Drought | Jan 29, 1977 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 4, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 4, 2025 | 80.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 20, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 18, 2023 | 0.50K |
| Flood | Aug 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 17, 2023 | 2.50K |
| Flood | May 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 18, 2025
A somewhat classic monsoonal pattern set up in the days leading up to this flash flooding event. A high centered over the Southern Plains and a low off the West Coast, drawing tropical and subtropical moisture northward out of Mexico and the tropical Pacific ocean. In addition, a weak jet streak moving through the flow overhead helped provide some extra energy to afternoon showers and thunderst...
Flash Flood — Sep 4, 2025
On September 4th, precipitable water values increased to above normal values, with the 18z Grand Junction sounding showing 0.69 inches of precipitable water. To the west of eastern Utah and western Colorado, an area of weak rotation associated with a passing shortwave helped to provide extra lift. Morning sunshine helped to realized enough instability that, with all other factors present, thund...
Flash Flood — Jun 4, 2025
Anomalously deep moisture was present across southeast Utah and southwest Colorado on the afternoon of June 4th. Enough sunshine had gotten through during the morning hours to create afternoon instability of 500-1000 J/Kg, more than enough to produce some strong storms. In addition, atmospheric profiles favored heavy rain development and slow moving, training thunderstorms. All these factors co...
Flash Flood — Jun 27, 2024
Deep subtropical moisture increased across eastern Utah and western Colorado and combined with forcing from a strong low pressure trough digging across the Intermountain West to result in widespread severe thunderstorms. These storms produced severe wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain that resulted in flash flooding and debris flows.
Flash Flood — Jun 20, 2024
Very deep tropical moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto combined with monsoonal moisture was forced through eastern Utah and western Colorado due to a large high pressure ridge over the Central U.S. and a deep low pressure trough over the Great Basin. This deep moisture combined with strong instability and shear to produce widespread severe weather across eastern Utah...
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 Mesa 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 Mesa 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.